Courting a Salamandrian

Chapter 30: New Beginnings

Raphael always enjoyed stargazing. It was one of his favorite activities to do with Mona Lisa when they'd have date nights on Earth, besides their one-on-one training sessions, of course. However, the view he would see on Earth is nothing compared to the wondrous sight he and Mona were blessed with this evening. On a far off planet outside of the Milky Way Galaxy, Raphael and Mona Lisa were spending their wedding night at a luxurious resort, staying in a penthouse suite on the top floor. Courtesy of the Utrom Council. As if giving them their official marriage license wasn't enough, as a true final apology for Bishop's ignorant actions, the Utrom Queen offered to pay for the entirety of Raphael and Mona Lisa's honeymoon. From the meals, the intergalactic transportation, to the suites they'd stay in. An offer the couple did not refuse, planning to take full advantage of the Queen's generosity.

Still dressed in his wedding attire from earlier that evening, only removing his blazer and draping it on a nearby chair, Raphael stood alone in the wedding suite's balcony. He rested his arms on the banister of the balcony, looking out at the cosmic night sky. A magical view of glittery purple cosmic clouds combines with sparkling white stars painting across a blue, black and pink night sky. The sight was breathtaking. Raphael's eyes were locked on the sky above. Though he has never enjoyed space travel, he can't deny the sights have always been astonishing, making traveling the galaxy worth it in the long run.

Soon joining him on the balcony was Mona Lisa, still in her wedding dress. She entered carrying two glasses of sparkling champagne. She approaches her husband, offering him a glass. Raph thanks her with a smile, taking the glass from her grasp. The two then raise their glasses to one another, clinking them together and proceeding to take a sip as they continue to look out at the gorgeous view above them.

"This view is incredible..." Raph says softly, he and Mona's gaze locked on the sky.

Mona hums in agreement, "If I recall, it was a night similar to this one that you and I had our little discussion," she chuckles at the thought as she takes another sip from her glass. How over a year ago they were on that rooftop stargazing, that date night along with a simple conversation led to the chain of events that led to their marriage.

"To think, my cluelessness of marriage is what led us to where we are now."

"I'm glad for your cluelessness," Raph teased with a grin. "If we didn't have that discussion, then proposing to you would've taken longer to cross my mind."

"So if I didn't make my assumption that we were already married, your proposal would've still happened?"

"Eventually, yeah. Even before a proposal crossed my mind I already knew you were the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with."

"And when did you realize that?"

Raph turns, booping his nose against hers. Giving a loving smile, he whispered, "The day I met you."

Mona snorts, playfully punching her husband's arms as her cheeks begin to blush. The couple share a chuckle with one another before returning to looking back out at the stars. Shoulders touching, they nuzzle their heads against one another, with Raph resting his on Mona's shoulder. They take another sip from their champagne glasses, not saying a word as they look on at the starry night sky, reminiscing about everything that has happened, not just in the past year, but the entirety of their relationship.

They both couldn't believe it. They were married. Husband and wife. To think all of their adventures together, the experiences they shared, the road bumps and struggles, all led to this moment. It all started years ago when they were just teenagers, both with a love and passion for fighting and battle. From two completely different worlds, it seemed it would have been impossible for these two to meet.