A Tartosan Wedding - 6 - Wedded Bliss

Madonna, what did I do? Mariah sat at the edge of the bed and shivered slightly. I got married! To Miranda. Miranda and I are married. Wow, she thought. I can't stop smiling.

She rolled her shoulders, wondering why they felt odd, only to realize a moment later that the unaccustomed sensation was relaxation. For the first time in days, maybe years, she wasn't stressed out. 

Miranda's absence from the bed wasn't unexpected. Her wife... her wife! ... was an early riser, having often commented that she needed less sleep than most people. 

Well, Mariah thought, I should get up and start my day.

Of course, she didn't really have any plans. Everything over the past few months had been related to the wedding somehow. That done, and university behind then, they didn't really have anything they needed to do right now. At some point, she thought, they'd need to figure out the next steps of their life together, but for right now, they had time to relax and enjoy themselves.

I guess, she thought, I should go find my wife. 

"Hey, you're up," Miranda called brightly. "I'm making French Toast."

"... in the nude," Mariah pointed out, a little stunned.

"Well, you were sleeping," Miranda replied. "I didn't want to disturb you, and I didn't want to get dressed in the dark. So..."

"So, you decided to make French Toast... naked," Mariah said, shaking her head. 

"Why not," Miranda laughed, deftly flipping the toast in the pan. "It's not as good as mom's but I make pretty good French Toast."

"Just don't burn yourself," Mariah said earnestly.

"That's why we're not having bacon," Miranda smiled.

"Of course," Mariah laughed. 

"Good?" Miranda asked as they dug into plates of warm battered bread. 

"Fantastico," Mariah replied honestly. "Easily as good as your mom's. You are a marvelous cook, mia amata. This is... magical." 

"Thanks," Miranda smiled. "Though conjured food never tastes as good," she mused, reminding Mariah that her wife could, in fact, call a meal out of thin air with the magic she rarely used. "At least mine doesn't. I'd rather cook anyway."

"So, mia bellissima strega, what shall we do today?" Mariah smiled back.

"I thought we could go into town," Miranda said, "just enjoy the day."

"Si," Mariah nodded. "But first, you need to get dressed."

"Well, if you insist," Miranda laughed.

------------

"Torte! Pasticceria! Fresca e calda!"

"I don't know how you stayed so skinny, living in Tartosa," Miranda commented. "I feel like I'm gaining weight just smelling all these wonderful pastries."

"Jogging, swimming, stress, petty theft," Mariah replied with a sheepish grin. 

Honestly, she felt like she'd never really taken advantage of living here when she did. She'd been too busy being an angry teenager to enjoy it all. Now, with this beautiful woman... her wife... she was finally ready to.

The cake was really good... moist, delicious and decadently sweet without being overwhelming. The silliness of sharing bites of it with each other somehow made it taste even better.

"Fiori! Fiori bellissimi per una bellissima signora!" The flower-seller called.

"For me?" Miranda asked with a pleased smile.

"Well, you know," Mariah blushed. "Like the guy said... beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady."

"When did you get so corny?" Miranda laughed. 

"I know, I suck at this mushy stuff," Mariah muttered. 

"I love it," Miranda smiled. "I love you."

"Amore! Amore!"

So, this was happiness, Mariah thought. After the fear and pain and anger of her teen years. After all the trouble, the nightmares and the pain. After monsters and gangsters. This was happiness. 

Her cynical side whispered that it couldn't last, that there were no Happily Ever Afters. Not really. 

With iron will, she told her cynical side to sit down and shut up. Of course it wouldn't last, but she was going to enjoy this moment. This one bright, shining moment of happiness.

------------

"There she is," Carla G smiled cruelly.

"What about the other one," one of the local toughs asked. 

"Do whatever you want to her," Carla sneered, "but Mariah is mine. Time to give her a little wedding present from the Altos."

A Tartosan Wedding - 5 - Celebrazioni d'Amore

"Let's get our dance on!" Aadi called enthusiastically.

For Mariah, the day had become a blur. The ceremony on the beach had been followed by an almost anticlimactic visit to Tartosa's Government House where the legal paperwork of marriage had been signed, witnessed and filed by a courteously smiling clerk.

After that, the wedding party had gathered for dinner. Mariah had no doubt that the meal, catered by family friend and restaurateur Matteo Rossi, was excellent. Still, she'd barely touched a bite of Matteo's famous risotto. She'd sat, smiling and laughing, as her friends gave speeches and made jokes she didn't really hear through the fog of her own happiness.

Now, the party had moved to Celebrazioni, Tartosa's top club and lounge, where the combined star power of Cassie Goth and Londyn Huntley had secured the entire place for the reception.

It was, as Aadi rightly said, time to get their dance on.

Much later, she and Miranda moved off the dance floor.

"I need to catch my breath," Miranda said.

"Uh oh, don't look now but it looks like Ms. Salty Suds is taking a turn hitting on Lucius," Mariah said, the nickname recalling the series of commercials that had kicked off Jenny Poole's career and another night at Celebrazioni, years ago, when Mariah's insecurities had overcome her better sense.

"Oh, I told her not to do that," Miranda groaned, but smiled as she said it.

"Well, maybe he likes women with big... bubbles," Mariah said.

"You are completely obsessed with Jenny's boobs, aren't you?" Miranda teased. "Maybe I should be jealous."

"I am not obsessed," Mariah said, deliberately pulling her eyes away from the buxom actress's bountiful cleavage. "They're just very..."

"Oh, I know," Miranda smiled. "She's got really beautiful breasts."

"Oh yeah? Have you seen them?" Mariah said, trying to keep her voice light against the bitter rush of old insecurities.

"She sunbathes in the nude," Miranda said with a sly grin. Then she laughed, "Mariah, anyone with an internet connection can see Jenny Poole's boobs if they want to. She's not exactly shy. She'd probably recommend a good website or two, if you asked her." 

"I'm not..." Mariah stammered.

"I'm going to go get something to drink," Miranda smiled. "I'll be right back."

"Sunbathes in the nude," Mariah muttered. "Anyone with an internet connection... well, I have an internet connection," she added to herself, pulling out her phone. "So, if I wanted to I could just... oh... oh my... Umm... wow. "

"What'ch'ya doing?" a bright voice cut through the music. "Looking up something good... or maybe something naughty?"

"Nothing! I wasn't looking at anything," Mariah lied, hastily stashing her phone. 

"Ooo, something naughty then," Jenny smiled. "Special wedding night inspirations maybe."

"Absolutely not," Mariah said. I will not even think about what I was just looking at and wedding night stuff with Miranda, she thought. No, I said don't think about that. 

"So, what's the deal with Lucius and Gwen?" Jenny was asking.

"What?" Mariah said, struggling to put her thoughts back into some sort of order. "What do you mean?"

"Well, they've barely spoken to each other all weekend," Jenny said. "Miranda says he's her father... which is nuts. I mean, he can't be old enough... unless..."

"Yeah, he is... her father, I mean," Mariah said. "They... I guess they haven't really spoken since Gwen's mom was killed. He sent her away... to keep her safe, or something, but..."

"Wow," Jenny sighed. "OK, a) that sucks but b) why does Miranda's life always sound like a movie plot? And is there a part in it for me?"

"Be careful what you wish for," Mariah laughed. 

"Look, look, look," Jenny said excitedly. "He's going over to her."

Turning, she saw that Jenny was right. Lucius had made his quiet way across the dance floor and was now approaching the slender, golden-haired woman who was Miranda's other mother. 

Watching, Mariah felt an odd sense of wonder. Gwen had always struck her as mysterious, a little strange and maybe kind of flakey. She was, to those who knew about such things, the White Witch of Glimmerbrook, a name always spoken with a hint of awe. Lucius, who she'd known only briefly, she had found to be wise and ancient, gentle but a little bit frightening. 

It was strange, to see these two larger-than-life figures standing together, hesitant, uncertain and so very human in their feelings.

Mariah knew that Miranda had brought them together, here at her wedding, in the hopes that they might finally reconnect. She couldn't hear what they said together, across the dance floor, but she could see that Miranda had succeeded, perhaps beyond her wildest expectations.

"Did you see?" Miranda asked later, as they danced slowly in each other's arms.

"Si, I did," Mariah smiled. "You have any other wonders planned for tonight mia amata?"

"Well, I have a few ideas," Miranda teased, a sly gleam in her eye. "But right now, I just want to dance with my wife."

"I can do that," Mariah said happily.

-------------------

Later, after much more dancing and laughter and increasingly silly toasts, the newlyweds finally slipped away, returning to the rented villa on the bluffs above the bay. The rest of the wedding party having made arrangements for other accommodations, the villa was theirs alone tonight.

"You know, it's been a pretty good day," Miranda mused. "Gwen and Lucius are talking again. I had a wonderful meal and a night of dancing under the stars... and, oh yeah, I married the woman of my dreams on the beautiful golden beach where we fell in love."

"I guess it was a pretty good day," Mariah smiled back at her.

"So, what shall we do now?" Miranda said with a teasing smile.

"Whatever you want, mia amata," Mariah said. "Whatever you want."

"Well, I do have one idea," Miranda purred as she turned and walked across the room, "I would like to take advantage of the hot tub."

"Oh," Mariah blinked. "Well, I guess we could go upstairs and get our bathing suits."

"No," Miranda replied, reaching back to undo her dress. "I don't think I'll need a suit," she added as the blue silk slithered to the floor around her feet. 

"Oh," Mariah breathed, drinking in the vision before her. 

No matter how many times she looked at Miranda's lean, strong form, the sight always took her breath away. Tonight, Mariah realized, she was seeing her for the first time as her wife. 

"Care to join me?" Miranda said with a sultry glance over her shoulder.

"Si mia amata," Mariah smiled.

A Tartosan Wedding - 4 - Baia dell'Amore

Breathe, Mariah thought to herself. Just remember to breathe.

She realized Jordan was talking. 

"So, they closed off the whole beach for you guys?" they were asking. "Must be nice to be rich and famous."

"Che? What? No..." Mariah stammered, trying to focus. "I mean yes, it is... but people get married down here a lot. So, closing off the beach for a wedding isn't unusual. People are pretty chill about it. We'll probably get some people up on the walkways watching, but that's it."

"Cool," Jordan smiled. 

"What have we here," Aadi said. "I believe our little Genie is getting her flirt on."

"With who?" Mariah looked around, wondering if some tourist had come down to the beach after all. "Wait, is that... is she flirting with Lucius?! Madonna!"

"Well, he is the only single straight guy here," Jordan pointed out.

"And, we know our Genie has a thing for older guys," Aadi grinned. "Plus, have you seen his hair?"

"Older is right," Mariah muttered. After meeting Lucius, she'd done a little research. Based on the names of people the wizard had mentioned knowing, she guessed Miranda's grandfather to be more than a thousand years old. Possibly a lot more. Still, Aadi was right. He did have nice hair.

Thoughts of ancient immortals, and just how weird Miranda's family really was, were quickly banished by more immediate concerns.

"Oh no, Danielle's going into full hug-y wedding mode," Mariah sighed as she watched her foster mother embracing her fiancé. "Could you go rescue Miranda?"

"On it," Aadi laughed.

"She's happy for you. We both are," Londyn said, coming up behind them. "Miranda doesn't seem to mind."

"I know," Mariah said, feeling herself smile. 

Before she quite knew it, it was Mariah's turn. She found herself swept up in the warm wave of Danielle's love and approval. 

"I'm so proud of you," she whispered into Mariah's ear.

"Danielle, I..." Mariah started.

"Hush, let me hug you," Danielle said. "I know how hard it's been for you, but I know.... I just know... that you'll be so happy together. You have so much love in you, Mariah."

"Thank you," Mariah sighed, relaxing.

"Ladies, it's time to get this party started," Aadi's voice called. "Miranda says she's ready when you are."

Mariah took a deep breath. "I'm ready."

"Everyone, please gather in front of the wedding arch," Londyn called out, her performer's voice carrying across the sunlit beach. "We're about to begin."

As the assembled guests moved to take their places, Mariah barely noticed the paparazzo who had slipped down to get a better picture. He was someone else's problem to deal with... and with three famous and strong women in Cassie, Londyn and Danielle, she was sure it would be dealt with.

Then she found herself standing with Miranda under the wedding arch and everything else went out of her head.

"Last chance to make a break for it," Miranda whispered in her ear. "Run off and get married at some Oasis Springs casino."

"Wait! That's an option?!" Mariah blinked.

"No," Miranda laughed. "Not anymore. You ready?"

"Si," Mariah smiled. "Yes... yes, I am."

A quiet peace settled across the beach. Mariah thought she could hear the waves rushing across the sand. She imagined she could almost hear the beating of her own heart.

"Mariah," Miranda began, and she felt as if the sound of her name echoed deep in her bones.

"My Eye is drawn to yours by the passion of the Wild.

"My Hand is joined with yours in the everyday toil of Practicality.

"My Heart stands with yours against the perils of Strife.

"With Open Eye and Open Hand and Open Heart, I vow to stand with you."

"Miranda, I..." Mariah started, then faltered. 

There was so much she wanted to say. So much in her heart and head, and suddenly she couldn't find the words. She realized she was standing there, like an idiot. Everyone was watching. Panic threatened to overwhelm her. 

Then her eyes met Miranda's and everything was clear again.

Breathe, she thought. Just breathe.

"I don't know if God is really kind and loving, or cruel and vengeful," she said at last. "I just know life can be hard sometimes and it can be great sometimes... and I know I want you with me, through the good times and the bad times and all the times in between. I promise I will be with for as long as you'll have me."

"By the Oak, the Ash and the Ivy," Miranda whispered. "By the Sun and the Moon and the Sea, we are bound, one to the other. So mote it be."

So, with a Word and a kiss, they were bound, one to the other, on that bright beach where, legend says, the Love first touched the world.

A Tartosan Wedding - 3 - Friends of Honor

"Va bon, we're doing this," Mariah said, taking a deep breath.

"Remember boo, it's your job to tackle her if she makes a break for it," Aadi said brightly.

"Why is it my job?" Jordan asked with a grin.

"You run faster," Aadi grinned.

"Proco cane! I'm not going to make a break for it," Mariah grumbled.

"Remember, she bites," Aadi added. "It's a vampire thing."

"Ex-vampire," Mariah said firmly, "and I was only a vampire for, like, one night so that shouldn't even count."

"You guys and your tall tales," Jordan chuckled. "You know, Aadi here is still trying to convince me that Jake, our landlord back home, is a werewolf."

"Yeah, I... heard that," Mariah said hesitantly. To be fair, she'd only met Jake once and she'd never actually seen him become a wolf, but since Miranda came into her life, she'd seen weirder.

"Hey, Jordan, grazie... thank you... for doing this," Mariah added. "I mean, you don't know me from Eve, so I really appreciate..."

"Say no more, sister," Jordan grinned. "Any friend of Aadi's is a friend of mine."

"Yeah, well, I don't have many... friends," Mariah said uncomfortably. "I mean, I spent my teen years deliberately alienating people... my whole self-destructive, cry-for-help phase."

"You are talking to the only black, gay, non-binary kid to go through Henford Secondary School," Jordan said. "I get it. I'm glad to help."

"Besides," they added, "I got to meet Londyn and Danielle Huntley, a movie star and my fav writer... who are awesome... plus a free trip to Tartosa. Girlfriend, you can call me anytime."

"Heard," Mariah laughed. "E si, they are figata... awesome."

"I gotta ask though," Aadi put in, "who was the scary lady in black again?"

"Liberty? She's an old friend of the family," Mariah said. She carefully left off the part about Liberty being a spy, the Agency's chief spy in Tartosa in fact. Aadi tended to get overly excited about the whole 'spy' thing. "She can't actually make the wedding. She's got a work thing."

"So, you mind if I ask... no vicar?" Jordan said, slightly puzzled. "Back home, vicars and weddings are kind of a thing."

"No vicar," Mariah said firmly. "I... I did the whole teenage runaway thing a lifetime ago and let's just say I had some bad experiences with a missionary type. Left a bad taste in my mouth." She grimaced at her private bad joke. "In my head, I know they're not all like that but..."

"The heart and the head don't always agree," Aadi said sagely.

"Sorry," Jordan winced. "Didn't mean to poke a sore spot, today of all days."

"Figurati... no worries," Mariah said. "Anyway, we don't need one. We'll do the paperwork at city hall, but this ceremony... our real marriage... that's for us."

"See," Aadi smiled at Jordan.

"Aspetta un momento! Are you two... ?!" Mariah asked, excitedly.

"No, no... this is your day," Aadi said firmly, but with a broad smile. "My boo and I are not stealing your thunder."

"... but we will talk about this later," Mariah said firmly.

"Count on it," Aadi grinned. "Right now, no more stalling. We've got to get you to the party or Miranda might start without you."

A Tartosan Wedding - 2 - Bridesmaids

The day of the wedding dawned, bright and clear. The clouds that had gathered in the night, threatening gloom and possibly even rain, had vanished as if by magic. Instead, sunlight danced across the blue waters of the bay and warmed the old villas of Tartosa.

"Oh, I can't believe my little girl is all grown up," Cassie said, pulling Miranda to her.

"Mom, you're gushing," Miranda groaned in her mom-you're-embarrassing-me voice, but she smiled as she said it. 

"You're getting married. I'm allowed to gush," Cassie said.

Standing a little apart, Gwen just quietly beamed, but somehow Miranda could feel her love and approval surrounding her like a hug. One of these days, Miranda thought, I'm going to figure out how she does that. 

"Alright, Gwen and I are going down to the beach to make sure everything is ready," Cassie said with a deep, getting-down-to-business, breath. "Catch up with us. You don't want to be late."

"We'll get her there," Genie Elderberry promised.

"You know, unless we run into some cute Tartosan guys along the way," Jenny Poole teased with a flirty toss of her golden hair.

"We'll get her there," Genie repeated firmly as Cassie and Miranda laughed.

"Hey, I wanted to thank you again for asking me to be a bridesmaid," Jenny said as Cassie and Gwen walked on ahead. "I know I wasn't your first choice."

"Don't be silly," Miranda said. "You're a friend."

"Yeah, I know, but I'm not a friend like Genie here or Beth," Jenny said. "If Beth could have been here, she'd be standing with you instead."

"I'd still want you standing with me, Jenny," Miranda said. "Yeah, it's true Beth and Jake couldn't be here... their duties as the new pack leaders mean they can't leave Moonwood Mill right now... but I can have as many bridesmaids as I want."

"OK, I've got to say it's a little weird that your high school best friend can't be at your wedding because of her werewolf stuff," Genie said. "I mean, werewolf stuff? Really? I will never get used to your life."

"My life's not that weird," Miranda said defensively, tasting the lie even as she said it.

"Oh yes, it is," Jenny laughed. "Magic, werewolves, vampires, gangsters... all part of the Miranda Goth package. Does this Mariah of yours really know what she's signing up for?"

"Oh, she does," Genie said. "Believe me, they're perfect for each other."

"Well, that's... a little scary actually," Jenny said. "Anyway, thank you. I'm honored. Even if it does mean I'm stuck with this dress instead of one that let me show off my assets better."

"Jenny, if you showed off your assets any more, you'd be topless," Miranda laughed.

"I like to play to my strengths," Jenny grinned. "Not that it matters. I mean, I get that it's a lesbian wedding and all, but couldn't you have invited a couple of straight guys? I mean it's traditional... bridesmaids get laid."

"She has a point," Genie giggled.

"You're both horrible," Miranda said.

"Though there is that Lucius guy who was at dinner last night," Jenny mused. "He's straight."

"No," Miranda said, shocked.

"Yes, he is," Jenny insisted. "He was totally checking me out. Flip you for him," she added to Genie.

"No," Miranda repeated firmly. "You may not hook up with Lucius! He's Gwen's father for God's sake."

"I thought Don Lothario was your father," Jenny said.

"He was," Miranda said, "Lucius is Gwen's father... which makes him my grandfather and you may not hook up with my grandfather at my wedding. Or at all!"

"Damn, he's fit for a guy in... what... his sixties," Jenny said.

"A little older than that actually," Miranda sighed. "And I'll say it again for emphasis - you may not hook up with Lucius. Besides, I thought you guys both swore off men after the whole dating gangsters thing... and can I just say that it's weird that you both, separately, did that."

"What can I say, bad boys are really good at doing naughty things," Jenny smirked. "You know."

"No, as it happens, I don't," Miranda said loftily. "I've never been with a bad boy, or any boy."

"I didn't know that," Genie said. "You mean... never? I thought you were attracted to guys too?"

"Well, I am. I mean I kissed boys when I was younger," Miranda said. "I've never... you know... and I've been with Mariah since I... I mean... why am I talking about this?"

"OK, we've got about an hour until the wedding," Jenny said. "I bet we could find you a reasonably cute Tartosan guy..."

"No!" Miranda said, laughing.

"Let's just get her to the wedding," Genie added.

A Tartosan Wedding - 1 - Wedding Jitters

Tartosa, where the golden mountains of Terra Amorosa meet the shining blue waters of Il Mare. Legend says this is where the Goddess of Love, risen from the sea-foam, first set foot on land.

They are bound together, love and the sea - beautiful and tumultuous. 

---------------

"I can do this, right?" Miranda asked.

"Of course you can," Cassie smiled. "You and Mariah love each other very much."

"No... I mean, yes. Yes, we do," Miranda smiled back. "But what I mean is... marrying Mariah isn't going to interfere with the whole Guardians of Glimmerbrook thing... will it?" 

"Now she thinks to ask," Gwen said softly.

"Hush you," Cassie admonished her.

"I mean, you guys are married but you're both Guardians," Miranda continued, largely unaware of the interruption. "Mariah can't be a Guardian, because there are only three. Why are there only three Guardians? But she couldn't be one anyway. She's not even a witch... and she wants to get a job as a psychologist... so we can't even live in Glimmerbrook because they don't really need a psychologist in Glimmerbrook..."

"I'm not so sure about that," Cassie muttered. 

"... so, we have to live somewhere else," Miranda rambled on. "How's that even going to work. I mean, I know I went off to college and that was alright, but I still lived at home, really. Can I do this?" 

"Honey, breathe," Cassie said, "Just breathe. Yes, you can do this. Being married won't interfere with being a Guardian. Gwen, help me here."

"You are our daughter," Gwen said calmly. "You are a Guardian of Glimmerbrook Watch, a bound protector of the Portal between this world of Midgard and the Magic Realm of Tir Na Nog. Getting married and moving away will no more break your bond to the Portal than it will break your bond to us. You will always be our daughter. No matter where you go, or how 'grown up' you become, we will always love you and always be there for you."

Miranda gave a shuddering sigh as the tension flowed out of her. 

"How does she do that?" she asked her mother.

"She's Gwen," Cassie smiled, embracing her daughter.

"I can do this," Miranda said confidently.

----------------------

"I can't do this!" Mariah Huntley cried.

"Hmmm," Danielle replied, distractedly. "I mean, after all, you wore that suit to the gala four years ago, dear. I'm sure we can get you a different one... or maybe even a dress?"

"What? No, I'm not talking about the suit, mama," Mariah blinked at her adopted mother. "Besides, it's... well, kind of a thing we agreed on... because we... Oh it doesn't matter. I can't marry Miranda! What was I thinking?!"

"I believe you were thinking that you loved her, dear," Danielle said patiently.  

"Of course I love her," Mariah sighed.

"And I believe you want to spend your life with her," Danielle continued.

"Well, I did... I... I do," Mariah stammered.

"Well, there you are," Danielle smiled.

"But... but I..." Mariah continued to stammer.

"Oh good," Aadi said brightly as they swept into the room, "I see I haven't missed the Mariah Gets Cold Feet part of the show."

"No," Danielle sighed to Aadi, ignoring Mariah.

"I got this, mama," Aadi grinned.

"Aadi, what am I doing?" Mariah cried.

"Getting married," Aadi replied warmly.

"... and I need to get dressed," Danielle said, glancing at Aadi.

"I got this," Aadi repeated confidently.

"Aadi, I can't marry her. I can't!" Mariah wailed as Danielle slipped out of the room.

"Girlfriend, I am gonna to slap you," Aadi said firmly.

"Try it!" Mariah snarled, her temper flaring.

"There's my bee-yotch!" Aadi grinned.

"Girl, you are a hot mess," Aadi sighed.

"I know, I..." Mariah started.

"Shush, listen to your Aadi now," they interrupted. "You are a hot mess... and why shouldn't you be, bumblebee? You lost your daddy when you were little. The woman that birthed you... and she doesn't deserve to be called a mama... call you a monster because of who you loved. You were wild child and troubled teen. You went looking for your daddy's family and found gangsters instead. You, girlfriend, have Issues."

"You're going somewhere with this, yes?" Mariah sighed.

"Yes, I am," Aadi grinned.

"Because those issues are not all you are," Aadi continued. "Look around you. You got two real mamas now, Danielle and Londyn, who love you and support you. You got friends, like Genie and your very own Aadi, who put up with all your crap and still have your back. You got Miranda, who loves you and who you love. I've watched you two stand together through all manner of crazy. My little M&Ms."

"I should get away from all of you," Mariah cried. "Aadi, I didn't just 'find gangsters.' I became one. I got in deep with the Altos."

"But you got out. Girl, you put ol' Uncle Nick Alto in jail," Aadi said. "We all helped."

"That's my point," Mariah groaned. "I got you involved. I got you all involved... and that puts you all in danger. Sure, the Agency covered it up, but if the Altos ever find out, they'll come after me. If I marry her, I'm just putting her in danger."

"Because danger is a new thing for Miranda?" Aadi laughed. "Honey, I've heard her stories. Your girl was fighting monsters and saving the world when you were just a juvenile delinquent. If anyone can handle your crazy, it's Miranda. If anyone can handle her weird, it's you. My little M&Ms."

"You're saying were perfect for each other," Mariah blinked.

"Girl, I know you did not just figure that out," Aadi grinned. "You love each other. Your crazy fits with her weird... and above all, I have watched you both do the work to make this thing work through the kind of trouble they make movies about.

"Can't do this?" Aadi concluded. "Honey, you can't not do this!"

"What would I do without you, Aadi?" Mariah sighed, embracing her friend.

"Let's never find out," Aadi grinned.

A Tartosan Wedding - Invitation

The next Wyrd Tales story - A Tartosan Wedding is coming soon...

Dear friends

You are cordially invited to the 

Wedding 

of

Miranda Silveroak-Goth

and

Mariah Huntley

in a private ceremony on Baia dell'Amore

Reception to follow

Please join us

(The story begins next Wednesday, 1/22, and will update once a week)