The Weddings Day has Come, and Agnes has a Surprise

The next day was filled with joy, THE WEDDINGS. The President had named her A.I. again, fully aware that this naming business could have influenced the growth of Andrew and Dylan. Howard was monitoring this, but Elizabeth thought it important for herself and her family. She named her A.I. Alina because she was bright and bubbly, much like Elizabeth’s niece. That branch of the family had decided to stay on Earth, but Elizabeth hoped a contingent of the flotilla could return and get them to come to the new colony. Now Elizabeth was rushing around, all the prep!

“Elizabeth, Deputy Herald, is asking you to come to his house,” Alina said, breaking her train of thought.

“Can’t it wait?” Elizabeth asked as she played with her hair and her baby, Emma. It was amazing how much you can learn to juggle, but Liz felt she might be reaching her limit today with Danny’s request.

“No, the Deputy said it has to be right now. It will be a short visit, though.”

Elizabeth smirked, “Well, OK then. We’ll stop by as we go down to the Council House. Ask if that suffices.”

After a moment’s pause, Alina spoke, “That is fine, Danny says.”

Rushing the family, they exited the door in record time and zipped over to Danny’s home. Elizabeth loved those carts the colony was using now.

The Deputy’s door opened, and the A.I. from inside said, “Please come out to the barn area.”

Fussing, Liz led her family outside and came upon Danny, Sydney, and another woman, the vet from Reid Park Zoo.

“Uh..” said Elizabeth.

Danny noticed her and yelled, “Come and meet the new family member!”

“What?” Liz blurted out as her daughter burst around her parents and into the paddock for the camel, whooping.

As they approached, Liz’s eyes widened in surprise. Agnes had given birth. The unexpected joy of new life filled the air, catching everyone off guard and delighting them.

“Mom, they’re two babies,” her daughter Samanta said.

“Two! When were they born?” Liz asked.

“About an hour ago,” Danny said with a grin from ear to ear, standing with his arm around Sydney. “I wanted to catch you before we all went to the wedding.”

In front of them were two small creatures, maybe a third the size of their mother, who doted over the two, proud of her accomplishment. One was white, and the other a brownish red like the mom. Neither had their humps, but Liz supposed they would get them; some things come with maturity. It didn’t matter; the calves were adorable.

James, filled with wonder, approached Agnes. “Momma, you should be proud. They are beautiful,” he said, his voice filled with joy.

Agnes grunted and looked at James, her eyes soft and wide.

“Is that good?” James asked, turning to Danny.

The vet and Danny nodded, “Agnes is content,” they both said.

The white one started to stand up.

“Now that’s precocious!” Danny proudly said.

Jumping back into the cart, the family raced to the Council House and the old school’s gym. Finally, Elizabeth stood in front of Mesaland, John by her side. Yes, it had worked out, and all this was official. The President and the Sheriff were officiating.

Three men waited before the two officiants, each with someone standing at their side. Gene had Andrew, who was grinning in the Digit body. Christoper, the G.P., had Charles, and Tom had Jeff, the manager of Desert Rose. Such a day. All the men were in grey tux, but each had a signature variation. Tom wore a formal tux with tails and a vest with a grand top hat. Christopher, our serious G.P., wore a vest with his tux, but it was playful with shiny material and slanted stripes, topping it off with an iconic cowboy hat. Gene wore a black morning coat and a beautiful, broad white, dark grey striped tie but avoided any hat. As the Mendelssohn’s Wedding March started, Liz saw Danny and Sydney slide into their seats, and the monitor showed Betty watching from Earth. It was a day of family unity.

Good, everyone is here, Elizabeth thought.

Madie came first; she had become their leader, and the other women insisted, even though she joined the group last. Escorting her as the ‘father’ was Jeff. That man was playing triple duty today, and he looked tux with his bow tie. Madie’s dress was a white, flowing gown. The neckline was straight across at the neck, so the effect was an hourglass form with a train splaying out by her feet. Carrying Calla Lilys and White Roses, there was no color on Madie except for a wreath of silk pink and gray rosebuds that sat like a tiara on her head and then curved around the back of her flowing, blond hair, catching the gathered veil studded with tiny pearls.

Kate, the next bride, arrived with a brief pause for Jeff to circle around and escort her. Her dress, a mini skirt of white silk, was a masterpiece, with the trumpet shapes curling and draping down like a waterfall. The cap sleeve and straight neckline added a touch of elegance, with miniature roses of silk attached to the bodice. Her auburn hair was in a casual bun, all topped off with a small group of white silk roses attached to netting that swooped across her head. The bond between Kate and Jeff was palpable, adding emotional depth to the ceremony.

The third bride was Zoe, escorted by the President’s husband, James. The Davis family had known Zoe for years since she came to her Nunu’s house in Mesaland. Zoe wasn’t going to go traditional; she wore a suit with a strapless top and a sweetheart neckline beaded in gold, pearls, and rhinestones. White pencil pants with a voluminous, flowing skirt wrapped around but not hiding those pants. On her head was a top hat of her own. It was made of white wool, and a veil wrapped around the crown, which then flowed down her back. Yes, that was Zoe.

As they reached the front of the gym, arms were offered to help the brides up the stairs to the platform. Almost bursting with joy, Elizabeth began.

“This will start the final part of our journey to Rhea. I like to see our citizens embracing that commitment.” Smiling, the President looked at each citizen around the room. She wanted them to know how important this was for them and the colony.

“What lies before us is unknown and will be rocky at the very least. We know there are enemies at the gate. Hopefully, establishing the colony will be the hardest part because it is the most important endeavor. It is fitting that we should start by celebrating life sixfold with the first Mesaland marriage.”

I would like to thank the designers who helped our couples express their hearts and shine their best, the people of Mesaland who hosted this event, and the Berliner Philharmoniker who came from far away to offer their skill in walking the brides down the aisle. Then, the President turned to the couples. “I would like to thank you for the privilege of John and I officiating; we are deeply honored.”

She raised her head and addressed the colony, “Now we will tie the knot.”

John began the traditional wedding speech, “We are gathered here today,” omitting the outdated ‘obey’ clause.

Heavens.

Elizabeth picked up halfway through the speech, and they both finished, “I pronounce you husband and wife.”

Now, three couples walked back down the aisle. Everyone was smiling, and no one could help it.

Yes, this was a very good idea, thought Liz.

And then the celebration began. The President briefly considered making the festivities mandatory. But at this moment, it didn’t seem to matter. Mesaland and, by Zoomies, the whole flotilla had joined in the revelry. It was clear that they understood how vital these weddings were, and obviously, everyone needed this moment.

The End of Chapter 12

©JM Strasser March 2025 All Rights Reserved