The Space Speculation: Book 2 ~Painful Past~

Chapter 18: A New Life

A few weeks later, Jace proposed. It wasn't anything big or special. Well, it was special to me. It was just a regular morning. I opened the door to Jace, like I had every morning. This morning, I saw him there. Down on one knee, ring in one hand. Of course, I said yes.

Jace had to plan the entire wedding because I had absolutely no idea what to do. 

"Why are these things so complicated?" I said exasperatedly, looking at our wedding to-do list. 

"Because it's said to be a couples most important moment in their ENTIRE life!"

"On Pluto, it's literally just 'Do you love him? Do you love her? Great. Kiss. You're now married. Congrats'. And that's it!" 

Jace laughed and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. By now I was completely used to being human and I hadn't changed back since I landed. I didn't even know if I remembered how.

Like I said, Jace planned everything. He invited all the guests. I had no one to invite, but he said that was okay because he had many family members.  

Jace's sister, Opal, took me dress shopping. For my wedding on Pluto, I didn't have to wear a fancy dress; but apparently, here, it was required. 

No one but Jace knew I was alien, so it was hard talking to his family and friends, because, even though it had been a year, I didn't know too much about human-ly things.

"What's your last name?"

"Uh..."

"Where are you from?"

"Well..."

"How did you two meet?"

"Umm..."

On and on his family interrogated me, but Jace reassured me that they really did love me.

Opal was by far the most understanding. 

She knew when I didn't want to open up about myself, where I came from, or why I didn't have a family there. 

At times like those (and there were a lot of times), she would tell me about their family. "Oh, and there's Edgar. Edgar's the best. He's our brother. He'd be here right now, except that he's in Australia," she rattled on as she twirled and played with my hair the day before the wedding.

 I barely listened. 

I was so nervous about being in front of that many humans, I didn't know what I was going to do.

 My mind jerked back to the girl in front of the mirror as she cringed with every tug of her silky brown hair.

 "...the perfect husband, do you?" 

I looked at Opal, confused. 

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear the question. Could you repeat it?" Opal shook her head. 

"No, that's okay. It was a stupid question anyway." 

I had hardly any practice with using human emotions, so I'm afraid I embarrassed her.

 "Oh," I said. She smiled. 

"Anyway, I'm sure you and Jace will be perfectly happy with your new life."

 I covered my mouth, but a small giggle escaped, sounding like a strangled grunt through my fingers.

 I wanted to tell her, "You don't know the half of it, lady," but I knew that would sound strange and rude, and probably make her uncomfortable. 

"There." 

She lifted her hands from my head and I looked at the mirror. 

I let out a little gasp.

 I was, if I did say so myself, beautiful! And I did say so myself. 

I know that's not a very mature thing to say. I used to say it to myself at home on Pluto in front of the mirror when Mom got me a new outfit. 

 Opal smiled. 

"I thought you'd like it. It's a double-twist wrap-around rose bun."

 I had no idea what any of those words meant, but I took it they were used to describe the gorgeous brown ball of hair on top of my head.

 I gently touched my hair, afraid of breaking it.

 "Come on," Opal beckoned towards the door. 

"Time to go dress shopping!"

 I was amazed at all the beautiful white silk dresses in the store.

 Opal finally helped me decide on one with tiny purple flowers lining the high neckline and waistline; long sleeves; and silky designs around the bottom. 

"You look beautiful in it," Opal promised when I came out of the dressing room. 

I spun around, feeling like the most beautiful person/alien in the galaxy. 

I was smiling like a foolish Plutonian teenager, but I didn't care. I was happy to be getting married, and I didn't care who knew. 

Opal purchased the dress as I was inspecting some jewelry. 

She faithfully bought me some fancy clip-on earrings when I politely declined getting holes poked through my ears in order to wear normal earrings. She also paid for a beautiful jewel-covered necklace for me.

I couldn't wait to be wed!

This section was written by Melina