Till Death Do Us Part

Chapter 4 - Wedding Blister

Chapter 4 - Wedding Blister

Upon hearing the Serenity crew's new plans for the wedding, Doc Flynn and the town of Arcadia was overcome with joy. Things around Arcadia were depressing enough as it was, and a wedding would do good to allow cheer back into the town for a spell. Zoe and Wash didn't mind. The number of attendees on Beaumonde were to include only the immediate crew, Inara, and some of her Companion friends.

This event also gave the town a chance to shine on supplying the food for the reception. The food quality wasn't going to be on the same level that Inara was providing, but only Zoe and Wash were the only ones not complaining about that. Kaylee, to no one's surprise volunteered for decoration duty.

"Just so we don't see not a one painted flower," was Mal's only condition to her.

Wash had started the set up of a cortex outlet in the hangar of Serenity for a secure extended wave to allow Inara see the festivities live. Since Zoe had been ordered by Doc Flynn to be bedridden at least a few days, Wash spent the first day with Zoe before starting on the added wave the next day. Zoe, however, still felt helpless and a little guilty that all of this was being rearranged because of her. To assure her that it was not to be faulted by anyone, Wash made sure that on every hour he worked on the wave, he stopped for a break to check on his fiancé.

Jayne showed no interest in helping with anything so he spent the days and nights in the throes of Hattie's passion. Mal let him be but intended to use him the day of to help with chairs and for the hangar's conversion into an altar.

After the day of rest, Zoe escaped her bed and began to start walking around ever so slowly. The wound itself mended well thanks to Doc, but pain was still there and it multiplied when she walked. Doc had offered her a cane to use but she wouldn't hear of it. Wash was present when she took her first steps post surgery. As soon as she refused the physical support of the cane, Doc turned to Wash and remarked, "Strong-willed, this one. You're gonna have your hands full."

Wash shot back in a heartbeat, "On Saturday night, I certainly do hope so."

After a few hours of practicing to walk with Wash helping her as she went, Zoe began walking normal again with minimal pain. She then requested that she had to get to her bunk and fetch something. Wash had quickly said he would go with her, but she actually refused for him to join her. She requested Kaylee. Not one to go against his fiancee's insistence, despite his confusion, he called for Kaylee. As Kaylee walked with Zoe side by side heading toward Serenity, she asked while making sure Wash was well outside of earshot, "Time to try on the wedding dress?"

"That'd be an affirmative."

Sooner than they imagined, the day of the event came. Jayne was, in fact, persuaded to help with getting a tarp up on either side of the hangar to hide supply crates and other things the crew wanted unseen. Kaylee went to work on the decorative tinsel and paper-mache flowers she had made the previous day. The chairs were set up toward the back of the hangar and a small podium was provided by the town folk for the newly titled Shepherd Flynn.

And on that Saturday's mid-afternoon, Zoe and Wash's wedding finally took place at an alternate location. There was a crowd of about twenty townsfolk, the crew of Serenity, and Inara watching from several planets away who witnessed the ceremony.

With none other whom Zoe would choose, Mal walked her down the aisle. Mal knew that he was the closest thing to a father she would ever have, regardless of their similar ages. As he strolled her down the aisle, the crowd was astounded by her dress. It wasn't the usual wide wedding dress with extravagant ribbons and fringe. Instead, it was a single form-fitting solid white gown that had held a decorative laced look. It was perfect for her tall figure and it also acted as camouflage for her side bandages. She still walked with a slight limp going down the aisle, but it was a mighty wide improvement from two days ago. With all the people present knowing what Zoe had been through in the past few days, they were all surprised at the strength and courage she had shown after her surgery.