Chapter Text
“Woah Mari, I think you’re ready!” Aubrey squealed. Mari twirled around in her gown, squinting to look in the mirror that they set up in Sunny’s room.
Mari squirmed, not being able to hide her smile, “I think this is the one too Aubrey! Oh but I hope it’s not creased, or what if..” A fearful look grew on Mari’s face, “What if Hero doesn’t like my dress? Or if the flowers fall off..” She pointed to the roses lining the brim of her dress.
“Mari,” Aubrey sighed, “Hero is hopelessly in love with you. You could come in a trash bag as a dress and he’d still think you looked amazing.” She paused for a moment. “Also, honestly if the flowers fell of that’d look pretty cool, especially if it happened as you’re coming down the isle…” “Thanks Aubrey, I appreciate that.” Mari responded, though she still seemed a little unsure.
“Ahhh, Kel, Sunny, I dunno if I can do this…” Hero paced around the room, sweating. “What if she rejects me?” Sunny and Kel looked at each other, and back at Hero.
“Hero… she already said yes.” Kel replied.
“I know, but what if she turns me down at the altar? What if she thinks my suit is tacky? What i-” “Hero, just stop.” Kel interrupted him. “Sunny, tell Hero about what Mari said the other day about Hero’s outfit.”
“Oh, um, sure.” Sunny replied quietly, trying not to get emotional over his sister finally getting married to her best friend. “Um, Hero, so, the other day, when me and Mari were hanging out with Aubrey while you were out with Kel, she was rambling to me about how cute she thought you were.” Hero’s face seemed to soften. “She talked about how much she loved your casual outfit, and your nerdy T-Shirt.” Hero began to tear up.
“Let’s get you to the altar.” Kel replied.
As Mari could feel the wind in her hair, her worries started melting away. Critiques about her dress or hair vanished. She began squirming in the passenger seat of her new convertible. It was a slick, white car, Aubrey had decorated it with roses all over the hood, not to mention that she bought a Suzuki car, “In favor of the bride,” Aubrey says.
Hero stood at the altar with flowers in his hands. As he shifted his balance he heard the boards of the dock creak. He looked out at the crowd. His mom, dad, Mari’s mom and dad, Polly, Basil’s caretaker and Aubrey’s adopted mom, and numerous other friends and family all gathered in the audience. Basil and Sunny stood near Hero.
Suddenly, he heard someone say something, and the crowd went quiet. As he tried to figure out what they said, the silhouette of a massive dress came into view.
Aubrey and Kel began walking down first, Aubrey on the left and Kel on the right. As they reached the end, they split up to each side at the altar. After, Basil walked down, with Sally following shortly after as the flower girl. She held a basket full of assorted flowers, courtesy of Basil’s garden. It was a mix of roses, lily of the valleys, and tulips, as well as many more.
After the park seemed still, with the path staying empty, a slow song began playing. Hero still stared at his feet, which were beginning to get a little cold. But in his vision, he saw Mari walking down the aisle, Sunny standing alongside her. He looked up, it almost felt too good to be true. As the two siblings ambled down the lane, Mari searched around, seeing all her family members smiling around her. Some were even crying tears of joy.
Finally, they reached the altar, meeting Hero at the end, “I like your dress,” Hero whispered.
Mari giggled, “Thank you.” The two stared at each other for a moment, trying to absorb every millisecond of this magical day.
They snapped out of it once the priest looked at them and said, “Hero, do you accept Mari to support, hold, and unconditionally love you for the rest of your life?”
“I do.” He shakily replied.
“Mari, do you acce-“ Before he could finish his sentence, Mari leapt into Hero’s arms and kissed him. The crowd cheered loudly, but all Hero and Mari could focus on at that moment was each other, and the fact that they would be together forever. Aubrey and Sunny teared up a bit, and Kel pat Hero on the back, the parents of both Hero and Mari stood up to hug their children, each of them sobbing. It was a magical day for everyone.