*Oona’s POV*

Marriage ceremonies were a very foreign concept to me. While I enjoyed going through the catalogues with Juliet, I didn’t understand what most of the things in them were actually for, why she might want them.

With Crow and Femme’s help, I had learned that the large, white dress was a very important part of the ceremony for the American bride. That explained why Juliet talked so much about it and why she was having one designed for her instead of buying one ready-made. However, there was a lot more to it than the dress.

Andy and Juliet were to exchange rings, but Juliet’s was a separate ring from the one he had bought her already, which was only to signify their secret engagement. There were also to be guests, and they had to be fed. Apparently there had to be a cake of monstrous proportions that looked very impressive as well as tasted delicious. Then there was the site of the ceremony, and how it was to be decorated for the occasion.

My head spun listening to Juliet talk about it, it sounded like a nightmare! Fortunately, Juliet’s mother, Natalie, was playing a large role in the organization of the event, and knew what sorts of things needed to be done, as I was of no help myself.

On one of the nights Andy came to spend with me at home, he told me how happy it made both he and Juliet. I was supportive, but couldn’t understand at all. The ceremony seemed like a terrifying, expensive punishment for something that should be joyous.

Did he not want an equally fancy outfit, if Juliet was to have one? Why did his ring have no large, diamond stones? And I could have sworn that newlywed couples generally went on a trip together immediately after the ceremony, but Andy said they both had too much ‘stuff they were working on.’ None of it made sense to me!

What finally made me realize that I would never understand weddings was when Juliet revealed to me that planners for such catastrophic events existed, but that she was choosing not to use any such service! Instead, she was voluntarily undertaking it all as a family effort! Flabbergasted, I had just nodded and told her I admired her for her courage. She had just giggled lightly at me in response.

I was touched when Juliet had said that she wanted me to attend. Though I would have been honored, it would have been uncomfortable for me to walk around in the daylight, masquerading as a human for so long. Besides, it would have been inappropriate to have my thoughts intruding on Andy for such a private moment. Instead, we all decided they would have a mirror stood up, as a decoration, so that Sebastian, Penemue, the cats, and I could all watch from their home.

When, at last, the day arrived in mid-April, the five of us gathered, excited, around the large mirror Penemue had brought for the occasion. Sebastian excitedly pointed out his wife as she went to take her seat.

As soon as I saw how bright and enthusiastic Andy looked, just before the ceremony began, I inexplicably started to cry. I didn’t have to be close enough to share his thoughts; it just made me so happy to see him so proud and joyful. Of course, he looked dashingly handsome, even if his suit was less fancy than Juliet’s dress, and he did not get to wear a veil. Sebastian pointed out different people he recognized from different parts of the family. Andy’s parents both looked so pleased!

When Juliet began the formal ceremony by being walked down the aisle by her father (a curious practice), I was so stunned by her beauty that I started to cry even harder! It made no sense to cry, I knew everyone was happy, but I felt so overwhelmed! Femme and Crow both sniffled a little bit themselves.

I didn’t understand the significance of being married per se, but Penemue had explained that it was emotional, as well as providing significant tax breaks. Still, it all seemed so lovely!

In the moment where they exchanged rings, fingers shaking, it seemed that all the preparations Juliet had told me about were surely worth it. They had needed to gather everything and put it all together themselves, and they had done a beautiful job.

After the ceremony, Penemue and Sebastian had left together, of all things, to go trade family stories. I left both cats for my own home, after cleaning their commode and feeding them some celebratory wet food, so that Andy and Juliet would have the apartment to themselves on their special day.

Absently, I wondered how much longer I would be visiting them at their current home, as they had been talking about moving to a place with more space. I wondered if perhaps I had played a role in that decision, or if it was more related to their talk of considering getting a family canine. Perchance it was more their desire to change locales?

As I sat in my nest, I remembered back to how all of this had begun, a simple mistake. Now, knowing that everything had worked out for the better, I no longer regretted it, especially seeing both Andy and Juliet so happy with one another.

Andy had been reunited with his grandfather. Andy and Juliet now knew the full truth of one another, and had healed from their past mistakes. At last, Femme and Crow were able to talk with Andy. And, despite never having even known it was possible, I had found myself a mate and a family in the process.

I curled up in my nest, happier than I had thought I was capable of being. I had a wonderful future ahead of me, and Andy to share it with.

Notes

~~the end~~

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