Black Water

Epilogue

Kyoko smooths down her dress for the millionth time and clutches Corn in her gloved hand. Jelly fusses over her hair and gives her a tight reassuring hug.

"You'll do great out there Kyoko, just one foot in front of the other, okay?" Kyoko gives her a nod and holds in a tear threatening to fall. Jelly moves on to the kids in front of her but Maria and Hiou shoo her away telling her they're fine.

The doors open and the kids step out, Maria dropping flower petals on the ground and Hiou holding the rings. After a few calming breaths Kyoko steps out into the sunlight.

White Cloud gives her head an affectionate pat careful not to mess up her hair and he walks her down the aisle.

The chairs are filled with new and old friends. The ranch hands, spouses and fiances. The Sheriff and his wife Kanae who she's made fast friends with stand as their bests. Sitting in the front is Kuon's family, Kuu his father and Julia his mother both very happy and loving people who accept her graciously. Kyoko sends a smile to Shotaro and his fiance Shoko and acknowledges the empty seat that was reserved for her mother but who was never found. The children take their positions on either side of Lory who is not just dressed as the minister but licensed as well.

White Cloud gives her hand to Kuon and she looks at him for the first time, scared before to break down in tears before she even got to the alter. His golden hair shines in the sunlight and he stands tall in his black tuxedo. His clear blue eyes shine proudly and he sends her a dazzling smile, his hand resting on Corn, the stone no longer meant to hold their pains of the past but their love and the stone shines brilliant colors in response.

The words are spoken and the vows are made. The rings come last and Kyoko barely keeps her finger still, long since losing the fight with her tears.

"You man kiss your bride." Barely leaves Lory's mouth when Kuon bends her backwards and kisses her as she laughs at his antics. The people around them clapping, laughing and shooting off some rounds onto the clouds. Yukihito wipes a tear so happy for the two.

This was not how Kyoko pictured her trip through the rolling hills and vast landscapes of Wyoming would be but standing next to her newly married husband and her first love she would never regret one second of it.