Chapter Text
They were all in Miranda's office watching the projection about the mythical duo when Andrea sighed and stood. “I suppose I should go get dressed now.”
“You shouldn't wear your ceremonial robes to the venue.” Cassidy advised. “You should take the one for the ceremony with you and change into it when you get there.”
“Should I just put on my normal ones? The ones I wore when I first met you?”
“No.” Miranda shook her head. “You can wear one of the other designs we passed over when choosing your final outfit.” She waved her hand at the staircase. “They're in our bedroom closet. Pick any of them. They're plain since I didn't do the final embroidery on them, but you look wonderful in any of them.”
Miranda was fully aware that she had just used the word 'our' to describe the closet. It was reflexive, but also true. It didn't matter if Andrea was there or not, Miranda knew the bedroom, the closet, the house itself would always be theirs, hers and Andrea's. It just hurt too much to think of it any other way.
Nodding, Andrea left to do as Miranda instructed. They watched the display for a while longer, learning far more than they ever thought they wanted to know about Andrea's people's mythical Gods.
“Are you finished messing with that thing?” Miranda was not happy with the interface device even though it wasn't the machine's fault that they couldn't find a solution to this horrid situation. “I want to take it with us. I don't know if we'll need to return it or who to return it to.” It was a handy thing to have, but she was fairly certain they would not be allowed to keep it when the ship departed.
“Yeah.” “I guess.”
“Okay. It's nearly time to go anyway.” She kissed them both on the head. “Best go get dressed then and double check that you have everything you need.” She gave them both tiny pats between their shoulder blades. “Off you pop.”
“Sure, Mom.” Cassidy left the office
“You need to get dressed too, but it won't take long for us, Mom. The robes are really easy to put on.” Caroline left as well.
“Yes.” Miranda was drawn to the device and asked about several other groups, again frustrated when they all returned a percentage far below the nineteen point eight she was trying to beat. Deactivating the infernal thing she stuffed it in her bag and went upstairs to dress. She had decided that she too would wear 'normal' clothing and take her new robes with them to change at the venue. A delivery drone was waiting in the foyer to take the garments needed to the venue. The countdown again shifted measurements from hours to minutes.
Forty-five minutes.
------
“SHIP'S HERE!”
As much as Miranda hated it when Cassidy bellowed through the house, she knew she was going to miss that particular announcement. K'te was, of course, exactly on time. Damn them. Miranda sighed. No traffic jams in the air she supposed.
They walked out of the house through the sea of reporters, although what they expected to see is anyone's guess. Miranda and the girls had not gone anywhere without their security drones overhead ever since the piano recital. Now there were four drones projecting security fields around them as they walked from the house to the ship. It would take them directly to the United Nations. They all took their seats as the ship's door closed. K'te glanced back to make sure everyone was seated, then the ship's security field snapped on and they took off. The blue tinge faded quickly as they skimmed over the top of New York. Sooner than they thought, K'te was maneuvering into position to let them walk down the ramp to the roof. There wasn't a helicopter pad, but there was a roof access door near where they landed. It was a much more secure way of getting to the venue which made Kael happy, as happy as a grumpy security guard could get anyway.
Naturally guards were waiting for them when they arrived and K'te piloted the ship away quickly once everyone was safely on the roof.
When they arrived in the large room that was to be utilized for the ceremonies, Miranda was not surprised by the number of industrious beings making things ready. What did shock her was when Andrea and their party entered the room all tasks ceased and every being stood with their hands on their chests and their eyes directed toward the floor. A glance at Andrea showed that they were touched by the gesture but not surprised. Miranda's heart swelled with pride at the inherent kindness Andrea exhibited when they put their hand to their chest and spoke.
“'Kosi lonke.” Andrea looked around the room and smiled as the beings looked up at them “Ndiayibulela imizamo yakho.”
Thank you all. I appreciate your efforts.
Almost simultaneously every being in the room bowed and spoke. “Wamkeleki, 'Kosaza.”
You're welcome, your Majesty.
Andrea glanced at Miranda who had a soft smile on her face and the girls who were grinning. They rolled their eyes. “Follow me. There is a room we may use to wait.”
The room Andrea led them to already had a few occupants who also stopped and bowed when Andrea entered. All except one. To this one, it was Andrea who bowed. “Umpathi'way, ulapha?”
My parent, you are here?
The Ambassador looked around the room and spoke firmly, loud enough for everyone to hear them. “Sishiye.” Leave us.
The room emptied quickly. The Ambassador smiled when Miranda nor her offspring made any move to obey their command. They looked at their own offspring and answered their previous question. “Is there somewhere else I should be?”
“No.” Andrea's eyes softened. “I just did not think to see you so far ahead of the ceremony.”
They reached out but did not touch the robes Caroline and Cassidy were wearing. Their eyes questioned Andrea.
Andrea nodded. “Lulam made them.” Their lips twitched. “You should talk to them.”
Shaking their head, The Ambassador declined. “There is nothing to say.”
“I think there is.” Andrea shrugged. “But they are there, and you are there.”
“Mmm...” They shook off that possibility and proceeded to tell Andrea what they wanted them to know. They looked at their offspring and exhaled. “The person you are joining is terrible.”
“Damn right.” Miranda murmured.
The only indication they had heard Miranda was a glance in her direction. Their words did not falter. “I regret not looking harder to find a replacement. I am sorry.” They gestured to the room and the building beyond. “The reason I am here now is that Kael, in their zeal to take all our technology with us when we leave, has discovered several listening devices. I have had to refuse their offer of stepping away from their post for the oversight.”
“Listening devices, in your office?” Andrea shook their head. “How is that possible?” They knew that their parent's office was scanned repeatedly and often for such things.
“They were not actually in my office, but were positioned so that discussions occurring in my office and other various places in the building could be monitored.” The Ambassador made a gesture of helplessness. “They had apparently been in place for some time, even before our arrival.”
“These devices.” Miranda spoke, not caring that she was interrupting the ruler of the known universe. “They trace back to the electronic companies owned by...” she couldn't bring herself to say the man's name, “...the person Andrea is to join today.”
Answering was not necessary, since Miranda had not asked a question she had stated a fact. They answered anyway. “They do.”
“Once that information is made public those companies will crash and burn.” Miranda shook her head. “One of the criteria for the joining was that the man could take care of Andrea... when his companies fail, he will no longer be able to do that.”
“Then it cannot become public knowledge.”
“No.” Andrea stepped in. “No. I will not have something like this hidden. Not just for my comfort.”
“I will care for you,” Miranda said. “Joined with him or not, I will make sure you are safe and comfortable in whatever dwelling you want.”
Andrea turned to face Miranda. “You would do that, S'thandwa?”
“RhoQ.” Always.
Caroline's voice broke the silence. “Can I ask a question?”
Andy tilted their head, a little surprised. It was normally Cassidy who asked questions. “What is it, Caroline?”
“Well, the whole point of this... joining thing... is that Andy is supposed to be connected to the largest group on the planet. Right?”
The Ambassador answered, “That is the purpose. Yes.”
“Well... um... what happens if that group stops being the biggest?” Caroline shrugged. “Like... some natural disaster, or disease or something makes their group smaller and another group bigger?” She glanced at Cassidy who nodded encouragingly. “We were using the interface the other night and noticed that the numbers for Chinese and Indian, people from India, are very close. So what if something happens where Indian people get a higher percentage, but Andy is still... connected to the Chinese people?”
“It won't happen.” The Ambassador assured the girl. “All the projections say that the Chinese group will always have a slight edge in population percentage.”
Cassidy now spoke up. “What if your projections are wrong? There isn't that much difference. The margin of error is higher the further out it projects.”
“It is not the ideal solution.” The Ambassador admitted. “But this is the only way we know of to ensure this planet's protection. Most of the time numbers over fifty percent are best, then even if there is a slight difference and another group is slightly lower, such large numbers will keep the others away. You are so diverse. Nearly twenty percent will have to do.” They glanced at their bracelet and nodded. “I need to take care of some issues before the ceremony.”
“Of course.” Andrea bowed. “Thank you for informing me of the situation.”
“You needed to know.” Their bracelet beeped again. “I must go.”
Andrea grinned. “Ukuba ngumbntu omdal' kuhla' kungamav.”
Being an adult is always an experience.
Rolling their eyes at that, The Ambassador recalled saying those exact words to Andrea and copied their response as they walked away. “Rho'Q” Always.
After The Ambassador left some of the other people returned including Jes'aQ. “'Kosaza, is there anything I can do to help?” They reminded the group, “It is almost time.”
“Where is the delivery drone?” Andy looked around. “I will need my robes soon.”
Miranda spoke. “I understand that the security chief, Kael?, is gathering your technology to return to the ship.” She indicated her bag. “I have an interface device they will probably want. Will you inform them?”
Jes'aQ nodded. “E'we, Miranda.” They turned to Andrea. “I'll find out where the delivery went, right away.” They left quickly to complete the task.
“Hmmm...” Miranda watched the translator leaving. “It's such a shame they'll be leaving soon.”
“Miranda?”
She grinned at the other three and winked at Caroline. “They would make a perfect Emily.”
Cassidy laughed. “Hide the space cheese.”
Andrea had not been around Emily enough to know the woman's crazy diet but the Priestlys were all familiar with it and laughed at the joke. It didn't matter that they didn't get it. The three people who meant most to them did. They were glad to see that they were still able to laugh. Andy checked the time. Now they were counting to the ceremony itself and not the arrival at the venue the units of measurement went back to hours. Even though it was barely more than one.
One hour and thirty-five minutes.
------
Things began to speed up as the ceremony got closer. Jes'aQ found the delivery drone at the roof access door, waiting patiently to be let in. And Kael had come to meet Miranda and personally take possession of the only fully functional interface device on the planet. They wanted to reduce its functionality immediately but that needed to be done from the main controls on the ship with their personal authorization. Andrea had gotten dressed and Miranda spent several minutes just looking at them. The girls shook her out of her reverie, telling her it was time for her to get dressed too. Miranda wasn't worried about that. As the girls had said before the robes went on very quickly. But time had slipped away, and the girls had left to find their seats while Andrea moved to the starting point of her walk to the altar. Miranda was alone in the room and had just unbuttoned her jacket when an odd sound reached her ears. It took a second to register that her phone was ringing. No one from Runway would be calling her right now. They all knew better. She picked up the phone and connected the call. Before she could say anything Roger's voice was practically yelling at her.
“HOW DID YOU KNOW?!”
Taking the phone away from her ear, Miranda looked at it, before bringing it back to her head. “Excuse me?”
“How did you know, Miranda? How? Every news outlet is talking about the listening devices found at the U.N. Those stocks have tanked... everyone is losing their ass... everyone except you.” Roger was almost crazed and Miranda could hear chaos in the background. “How did you know!”
Miranda realized that one or more of the reporters skulking around for the story about the wedding must have stumbled on the juicy information regarding the listening devices and broken the news. She couldn't say she was terribly upset to hear about the stock crash.
“Roger, the only thing I 'knew' was that I hate the man. He is marrying the love of my life in..” she checked the time, “ten minutes. I didn't and I don't want anything to do with him. Would you support a man who was marrying the love of your life?”
Scoffing at that Roger sounded amused. “Probably, if it meant this much money. But then... I'm a guy.”
Miranda felt the air escape her lungs in one large whoosh and the world began crashing in on her. She knew the blood had drained from her face and she was lucky a chair was nearby that she could collapse into because her knees absolutely did not work at that moment. The call had been disconnected, but Miranda's brain was too busy to think about that, as a million things flashed through her head not the least of which were several of Cassidy's feminist rants. Cassidy! Miranda latched on to that thought and hit her bracelet. “Cassidy! Where is the interface device?”
“Mom? You gave it to Kael, remember?”
“Oh... God...” Miranda was shaking. “I need to speak to The Ambassador, do you see them?”
Caroline hopped into the conversation. “They aren't in their seat yet...Mom... what's going on?”
“Oh... girls!... HOPE!” She laughed. “Wish me luck!”
Miranda was practically running out of the room. She found the wedding party gathered. Andrea looking beautiful and The Ambassador who was going to comply with the 'tradition' of walking their offspring down the aisle where...he, was waiting. Her crazy, rapid, stride toward The Ambassador caused the guards to step forward, impeding her advance. “Move out of my way! I have to speak to The Ambassador!”
“S'thandwa...” Andrea moved forward only to be stopped by Miranda.
“Don't start...” She turned trying to see The Ambassador. “This is a mistake," She spoke frantically. "You're making a mistake.” She pleaded. “Five minutes... that's all I'm asking.”
Tapping the guards on the shoulder, The Ambassador spoke. “Let her through.” They gestured back toward the empty room Miranda had just come from. “You have five minutes.” They ordered the guards and all those present, “Do not begin the ceremony until I return.”
------
The door had barely closed behind them when The Ambassador spoke. “What is this all about, Miranda?”
“There is a larger group.” Miranda paced as she spoke. “I'm just not sure...” Shaking her head she turned to them. “I need my interface device back to check.”
They shook their head. “There isn't a fully functional interface device on the planet.”
“There is... mine is... Andrea...they made Kael take the limits off. Kael has it now. I need it back, just to check... they can stand here the entire time while I do it, if they want... Please! For A'annndrr'ax'ahhQ!”
For what felt like an eternity The Ambassador studied her and then tapped their bracelet. “Kael, yiza apha.” Then they added, “ngoku!” Kael come here, now!
Miranda paced while they waited for Kael to arrive. “How do we know Kael will bring the interface?”
The Ambassador chuckled. “If it is an interface with full functionality they won't let it out of their sight until it's back on the ship.”
Not thirty seconds later Kael arrived, with the interface device. Miranda dashed toward them only to be stopped by The Ambassador. “Don't rush at them like that. You are likely to get hurt.” They addressed Kael. “We need to use the interface device. I'm told it has full functionality.”
Lowering their eyes to the floor, Kael nodded. “E'we.” They started to explain. 'Kosaza...”
“Ha!” The Ambassador's outburst made both Kael and Miranda jump. They clapped their hands together and pointed at Kael. “I knew you were pretending not speak or understand their language.” They held out their hand for the device. “I'm sure A'annndrr'ax'ahhQ insisted that I was not to be informed of this breach of protocol.” They waved off any response to that and handed over the device to Miranda. “Show me this larger group.”
Miranda fumbled with the controls. Her hands were shaking so badly but when she was finished her hands flew to her mouth to stop the joyous sob. “You see...” Miranda felt as though she could breathe again. “Andrea joining... him, would be a mistake.”
The Ambassador looked at the projected result spinning slowly over the device. Turning to Kael The Ambassador spoke in their own language quickly issuing several orders that Kael was more than happy to comply with. The security chief left to carry out their orders and The Ambassador reached out to hold Miranda's shoulder, shaking it slightly. “You have robes...” They nodded when she did. “Get dressed. There will be a guard outside to escort you to your place.”
Miranda had never gotten undressed and dressed so quickly in her life. The guard didn't speak but Miranda didn't expect them to as she followed them into the venue. She may as well have been floating, and later when she saw video and pictures of the moment, they floored her. Because as serene as she looked in them, she knew in the moment, she was equal parts ecstatic and terrified. She called the girls from their seats to stand beside her and was only able to whisper a quick couple of words in Cassidy's ear that made the girl squeal and do a little fist pump before passing on the message to her sister. All three Priestly women were beaming when the music started and The Ambassador walked Andrea toward them.
When Andrea saw who was standing at the end of their walk they were confused. “Umpathi'way?”
They patted their offspring's hand and nodded. “She was right. It was a mistake.” They tilted their head toward Miranda. “This is right.”
In a daze Andrea reached out and took Miranda's hands in theirs. “S'thandwa?” They shook their head. “I don't understand.”
“You were looking for the largest group on the planet. So you looked and found the Chinese were the largest ethnicity.”
“E'we.”
“But they aren't the largest group, Andrea. You missed it for the same reason your parent is called The Ambassador instead of their true title. You never even thought to look at genders.” Miranda grinned at the little excited sound Cassidy made. “Females, Andrea... females make up fifty one point eight percent of the human population.” That had been the longest few seconds of her life, waiting for the interface device to return the percentage. If it had shown that women had a smaller percentage than men, all would have been lost.
“Miranda.” Andrea blinked trying to wrap their mind around this sudden turn of events. “You are female.”
“I am indeed.” Miranda asked. “Would you do me the honor of being my spouse?”
“Your...” Andrea let out an exclamation of happiness and stepped forward wrapping their arms around Miranda's waist and picking her up, twirling her around. “Yes!” Keeping their hold, Andrea kissed Miranda soundly. “Oh yes.” A throat clearing caught their attention and Andrea turned toward the officiant. The human female officiant.
“That normally comes at the end of the ceremony...”
The girls giggled and Andrea looked sheepish. “Uxolo...” She translated for the human officiant. “Sorry.”
“Oh I think we can overlook a small break in protocol...” She smiled and nodded. “Let's begin, shall we?” Looking out over the crowd, she began to speak. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join these two people in matrimony....”
------
Epilogue:
“CAR'S HERE!”
“Cassidy Ann!” Miranda chided. “You are far too old to be bellowing through my house!”
“Awww.. C'mon, Mom. I gotta teach the munchkins.” Cassidy pointed her thumb toward two bright-eyed, red-haired girls. “Caroline won't do it.”
“Cass are you corrupting my children, again?”
“Mommy!” The girls jumped up and ran to Caroline. “Auntie Cass was showing us how to watch for cars!” They grinned and bellowed. “CAR'S HERE!”
Caroline rolled her eyes. “Thanks a lot, sis.” She tapped each of her children on the nose. “Just remember that Mimi doesn't like bellowing in her house. So use your inside voices when you're here.”
The twins frowned and spoke simultaneously, “'Uxolo, Mimi.” Sorry, Mimi.
Miranda chuckled. “Uxole'we.” You are forgiven.
The door opened and Andrea walked in, shedding their outer robes almost immediately. They had hung them on the hook inside the closet door before they realized there were more people than usual in the townhouse. “What's going on?”
“We have guests.” Miranda smiled and stepped aside as the little ones jumped on Andrea.
“Umzali Andy!” The girls started giving them kisses on their cheeks and Andy returned the favor.
Andy laughed at the name the munchkins had given them. Umzali was the beginning of the phrase meaning parent of my parent. They supposed their tongues were still not long enough to pronounce the whole thing. “What are you munchkins up to today?”
Caroline laughed. “We are going to the museum and thought we'd stop in for a minute.”
Cassidy grinned as she walked up to Andy and hugged them. “I'm just along to cause trouble.”
“It's nice to see you here.” Andy reached up and ruffled Cassidy's hair. “Your hair is turning white.”
Shrugging, Cassidy laughed. “Well that's what happens when you get older... not that you or mom would know.” Andy looked the same as they always had, and Miranda hadn't aged a day since the Joining.
“So all's well at the United Nations I take it?” Cassidy did still dabble in politics but after the first female president had been elected she'd pretty much gone off the grid. Now she tended to stay on her little farm in upstate New York. It was a lovely place to visit and Miranda and Andy went as often as they could.
“Things are as well as they can be.” Andrea smiled. “Will you all share a meal with us?”
One of the munchkins piped up. “Little roll things?”
Dark eyes filled with mischief and glanced at Miranda. “E'we. I think I can manage that.”
“Yes!” Both the little ones gave air fist pumps imitating their Aunt Cassidy with terrifying accuracy.
Andy laughed at the antics and gestured to the kitchen. They weren't exactly the same as the ones they had gotten from the ship, but over the years Andrea had managed to master the food preparation devices here and had found some adequate substitutes for their favorite dish's ingredients. “C'mon.. I think there are some in the fridge now.”
“Yay!!” The children raced Andrea to the kitchen.
------
Miranda shifted to her favorite position snuggled up against Andrea's body. “You're amazing.”
“You always say that.”
“Mmm... it's always true.” Miranda sighed. “It was nice seeing the girls today.” She laughed. “And the munchkins.”
“E'we.” Andy smiled. They had news, but had kept it to themself all day wanting Miranda to be the first person told. It had been a shock for Andy to find out, they had not been expecting it. Not really. Of course, it was inevitable. Maybe they should have shared while the girls were here.
“Andrea?” Miranda waited for those dark eyes to focus on her. “Uye wayephi?”
Where did you go?
“Just thinking.” They smiled as Miranda's roaming hand skimmed over a spot on their abdomen, then repeated the caress.
“Andrea?” Miranda propped herself up on one elbow to get a better look at the area in question as she ran her hand over it again. “Are you okay? You have a lump. Do you need to see a doctor? Should I get the Med Drone from the kitchen?”
“No, Miranda.” Andy assured her. “I'll be fine.”
“A'annndrr'ax'ahhQ, you tell me the truth!” Miranda was worried until they began to laugh.
“S'thandwa, I promise you.” They kissed Miranda, getting lost in the sensation for a long moment before explaining more. “It is going to be big trouble I'm sure, but not the way you think.” Andy smiled. “I'm just budding.”
“Budding...” Miranda's eyes widened. “You mean...”
Andy nodded. “E'we.” They placed their hand just over the tiny lump that Miranda had noticed. “I'm going to have an offspring.”
“Oh.” Miranda's eyes became misty. “Oh, my god...” The smile on her face widened as she understood what Andrea was saying. It was miraculous news and she leaned down to kiss the little bump and whisper.
“I can't wait to meet you.”
End.
Author Notes: I played with the percentages a little, just to make the story work but they aren't too far off, I don't think. :)
I got a comment/review about the language used by Andy's people. They said it reminded them of the language the African tribe used in the movie “The Gods Must Be Crazy” and wondered if there was a correlation between the two. I'm not sure what language it was in the movie but I based most of the written form of the language Andy's people use on Xhosa. Although, the Xhosa language has three clicks and Andy's people's has five. Written it looks very similar to Xhosa, (there are some slight differences at times) but spoken it is quite different. A Xhosa speaker would not recognize the words when a person from Andy's people spoke. The two extra click sounds make it too different. One of the extra sounds can be learned, but the other can't be made by humans, so there are some words humans will never be able to say correctly.