"Easter Sunday!" the Morlock kids cheered.

They were doing an egg hunt with The Way at a park, after the church service.

They'd been promised candy and treats.

Kurt rather felt that the holiday was more solemn than that, but he wasn't one to be a buzzkill.

"I alvays loved Easter," he said. "It's one of the most important Christian holidays. Vhat it's all about."

"Will there be a rabbit?" Illyana asked. Her idea of Easter was heavily influenced by the decor around the shops in New York City.

"I...don't know," Kurt said.

"We're going to be late." Raven was tapping her foot by the door. "I can't believe I care, but--and where's Shine?"

"She wasn't feelin' good agin," Rogue said. "I can't figure out what's eatin' 'er--every day fer the last three days."

Raven stared at her. "Really...you can't figure it out?"

"No," Rogue said, oddly. "Should I?"

"Yeah, what is you on 'bout?" Gambit asked, joining them.

"Don't they teach you anything at this school?" Raven said.

"About what?" Morph joined them also.

"To be fair--" Wally was jogging in place. "--if Rogue doesn't know that, isn't it on you, Misty? You never gave her the 'talk'?"

"The what now--?" Rogue said.

"I went through this twice. I don't want to talk about it," Raven said. "But when are you, lover boy?"

"Really thought everyone already knew," Wally said.

"Knew what? I'm gonna strangle ya if ya don't stop talkin' in this weird code." Rogue raised her fist.

"Maybe later," Wally said. "Right now we gotta go. Shine'll be okay."

Shine appeared then, looking a little nauseous still. "Yeah, after a few minutes it's okay."

"You should get that checked out," Kurt said innocently.

Shine laughed suddenly. "I already did, Kurt. Hank says there's nothing to worry about... You poor, innocent man."

"Huh?" Kurt said.

"Oh, for the love of--" Raven hit her head into her hands. 🤦‍♀️

"Okay, I'm 14 and I know what it is." Kitty was crossing her arms as she came in.

"Wait, are you coming?" Jubilee asked.

"I figured I didn't want to miss the big picnic," Kitty said. "I mean, I'd just be sitting around here alone, and, technically, it's kind of about Passover too...so I decided to compromise. It's educational, right?"

"Sure," Ryan said. "Uh...nice dress, Jewels."

"I feel like a cupcake," Jubilee said. "But everyone dolls up on Easter--Trinity told me."

"I feel weird wearing this." Kevin had never worn a suit before.

"We all do." Ryan tugged at his collar.

"Well, I think y'all look real handsome." Rogue tried to make him feel better. "Better hold onto 'im, Jubilee."

"Rogue!" Ryan got all red. "You can't say things like that!"

"What'd I say?" she asked.

"Let's go, people!" Logan was impatient.

"What's got him all worked up?" Rogue said.

"I suppose he's just impatient." Storm walked by, smiling.

"Oh, wow, ya look beautiful, Sugar," Rogue said. "Where'd ya get that?"

"I suppose it was just lying around my closet," Storm said. "I was going to wear my village attire--but then I thought I'd respect the American customs more."

"You could have done either," Shine said. "And it doesn't matter, because you'd look great in anything, Ororo. Some women just have that."

"Like you, Baby," Wally said.

"Wally!" Shine blushed. "I don't know if I could pull off African garb at all."

"Well, I suppose if I can wear this, you could wear that," Storm said. "Fair is fair. But you might find it too revealing for your Western sensibilities... Things are different when it's so hot all the time."

"You know, after a few days in that kind of weather, I feel like most people would cave," Shine remarked. "But enough of this. Let's go."

"You'd better not get sick in the car," Raven said.

"I have a bag." Shine stuck out her tongue at her.

"Ew, gross," Jubilee said. "If you're sick, why don't you stay home?"

"I give up," Raven said.

* * *

The Easter service went well, and then they all went to the picnic, with no incidents to report.

The kids had fun.

Logan and Storm chose then to announce their plans. They'd gotten the chance to ask Pastor Mike about it.

He'd been more than happy to oblige them, and, tactfully, said nothing about how it would help the church's reputation. Anne had said she was really happy to hear about it, and she thought they were a really sweet pair.

Of course, Storm chose to announce it right when the others were sitting down to eat, and Rogue almost choked on her drink.

"Wait, you gettin' married?" Gambit said. "When was dis?"

"Yesterday," Logan said.

"And ya said nothin'?!" Rogue sputtered.

"Well, it was late, so we thought we'd wait till today," Storm said.

"Late? Who cares about late? I'd have wanted to know right off," Rogue said. "Oh, wow...this is great."

"After only a few months, huh?" Morph said. "I guess you guys are that sure, huh?"

"Well, why do they need more time?" Raven said dryly. "It took them forever to get together at all, why waste more of it? It's inevitable anyway, all of us knew that."

"Sure ya did." Logan frowned at her. "Well, anyway, I said we should just get it done ourselves, but Ro insisted that ya'd all want to be part of it."

"Dang right!" Rogue shoved his arm. "How could ya even consider leavin' us out? Jerk! Wow, I'm so happy for y'all.... Aw, it'll be so sweet."

"We're invited, right?" Shine asked.

"Of course you are," Storm said. "In fact we'd be honored if you would all be in the ceremony in some form."

"Me too?" Jubilee asked.

"Of course," Storm said.

"So when is it?" Jean asked.

"Mike agreed to two weeks from now," Logan said.

Jean now almost choked. "But...don't you have to prepare first?"

"And pick a venue?" Scott asked. "Or will you have it at the house like us?"

"We had thought that," Storm said. "But Mike said he thought some of our members would like to attend, and I do feel a few of them, particularly Trinity's family, should be there. And Jubilee's other friends might like to, and Nancy--she's been a real help also. And Ryan's family might like to attend. So he suggested having it at the church instead. And the reception can be in the dining hall. Perhaps we can have a small reception at the house also just for us. But we don't want anything too elaborate."

"I wouldn't think you would," Shine noted. "My wedding had over 100 people at it, but that was the smallest we could make it without excluding some of our closest friends. Goodness, if we'd known you at the time, it would have been another 25 or more. Turns out when you combine worlds, the number goes up a lot."

"I liked it," Wally said. "It was exciting...especially the part where we had an ice skating rink in one corner of the venue."

"Yeah...never thought that idea would go over as well as it did..." Shine reflected. "Elsa's last minute contribution. But anyway, you guys keeping it small makes sense. I'm so happy for you, though. I love going to friends' weddings... I cry sometimes, though. I cried at Momo's."

"You cried at Bakugo's also," Wally said.

"Because his mom did," Shine said. "I couldn't help it. I'm sure I'll be crying at Sasuke's."

"I didn't blame you for Sai's--the kid went through a lot, so he deserved it," Wally said. "But couldn't get over the bird-eating-the-rice part being too fun to watch--oh, yeah, never have live pet birds at weddings, guys."

"Noted." Storm didn't want to ask for context.

"Can I be yer bridesmaid?" Rogue asked.

"Of course, Rogue. You could be the maid of honor," Storm said. "I want to do this the American way so you all can enjoy it."

"So no cows?" Wally joked. "Is that right, cows? Goats? What do you guys do?"

"Depends on the tribe, Wally. Don't be too stereotypical," Shine said.

"Close enough," Storm said.

"You can have it any way you want," Jean said. "It's your wedding. It should be special."

"But it's more special to me if all of you are comfortable," Storm said. "I don't need anything that specific. And it will be easier on Mike also to follow the Western traditions, so don't worry about it."

"You see, that's not fun," Raven said. "I never got to really decide, but I always thought they should do it the more Celtic way, with the river dancing and all that. Or Nordic--they exchanged swords."

"Vikings?" Shine said. "How would you know that?"

"I know things," Raven said vaguely.

"Exchanging swords sounds cool," Wally said. "We could have done that. Eh, but I wouldn't change anything."

"There's also a race," Raven said.

"Sounds competitive," Morph said.

"Well, they valued strength." Raven shrugged. "That's what marriage was about back then."

"Okay, I kind of see why you like this," Wally said. "You'd be all about that--so is that what you'd do?"

Raven shrugged. "I'm just saying, instead of all that flowery stuff that no one remembers, you could do something that actually represents anything your relationship is built on."

"Well, I don't of all that sounds appealing to me," Storm said. "I don't know much about those cultures. But if someone else wanted to try it, it sounds interesting enough."

"Eh, pass," Rogue said. "I always wanted to do the simple, country weddin' thing if I ever got the chance." She rubbed her arm. "Not sure I ever will."

"Sure you will." Wally patted her shoulder. "Just keep dropping hints."

Gambit shot him a look. "Well, Gambit think we focus on Storm and Wolverine for now. Wolverine finally gonna be tie down."

Logan's face said "I told you so."

"I don't really see it that way," Storm said. "In fact, we think this will free us up more, if anything."

"And just for that," Logan said, "ya ain't gonna be Best Man."

"What? Gambit wounded," Gambit said. "Gambit take it back."

"No way. Morph, what about it, best buddy?" Logan asked.

"Me?" Morph said. "Oh, wow, I've never been Best Man before.... What do I do?"

"Literally nothing," Raven said.

"Then sign me up," Morph said.

"But only two weeks to cook?" Jean said. "And decorate? I'll have to start planning the menu immediately..."

"I'd like to fly my godson and his mother in, if they'd be willing," Storm added. "They're my only family, really. I'm not sure they'll come, but two weeks will give them enough time to prepare if they do."

"I'm sure we'd love to meet them," Shine said. "Logan, you could invite some of your friends from Japan."

"Why?" Logan said.

"They'd like to see you settle, I'm sure." Shine shrugged. "Look, we don't get many excuses to get people over for things, that's all."

"What part about 'small' do ya not get?" Logan asked.

"Gambit doubt you have dat many friends," Gambit said.

"Dude, this is why you're not Best Man," Wally said. "Keep it up and you won't even be in it at all."

"Dat would be hard," Gambit said.

"We all know you'd be offended," Shine said. "Don't play with us."

Gambit huffed.

"Well, now how will you make your announcement?" Raven kicked Shine. "Without stealing their thunder."

"Is that a joke because Storm is a weather person?" Morph asked.

"Not intentionally," Raven said.

"Ugh," Gambit said. "You two rub off on each other way too much. Wait, what announcement?"

"Oh, you two ain't leavin', are ya?" Rogue asked.

"They haven't figured it out yet?" Shine asked Wally.

"Just Misty has," Wally said. "To be fair, I guess she went through it twice."

"Went through what twice?" Morph asked.

Raven shoved one of the Easter cupcakes into his mouth in annoyance. "Just tell them already," she said. "I can't stand listening to this ignorance anymore."

"Way to make the moment real special there," Wally said. "But okay, fine." He took Shine's hand. "I don't know how to say it now..."

"It's not that hard," Shine said. "Wally and I are having a baby. There, I said it."

The others all stared at them.

"Oh..." Jubilee said. "Now I get it."

"Duh." Kitty gestured irritatedly. "Wasn't it obvious?"

"Colossus knew!" Colossus said proudly. "Remember when mother had Illy."

"Not talk about that." Illyana looked embarrassed.

"What, really?" Rogue cried. "Y'all are havin' a baby?"

"Yes, Hank confirmed it a few days ago," Shine said. "I kind of already knew, but, to be sure."

Jean and Scott stared at them.

"Wow," Logan said, trying not to look like he cared at all. "Must be big news for ya."

"This is wonderful news," Storm said. 

"Yeah, but we kind of stole your thunder all right," Wally said. "Not that I care."

"No, on the contrary it's more icing on the cake," Storm said. "I don't mind at all. You're going to... Oh, but..."

"Wait a minute." Morph suddenly looked worried. "But you guys are going home... I'm not sure you should do that."

"Why not?" Raven asked.

Morph looked somber. "Well...I don't want to go into it, but one of my Exile teammates got...you know, pregnant once on the team...but she lost it later. I don't know if it was the hopping around timelines, but the strain couldn't have been good, right?"

"Yes, and I'm glad you told us that," Shine said. "Though at the time, I didn't know it was going to be relevant. But I always suspected it wouldn't be good to travel worlds while...you know. And I wasn't sure it was even possible to...but, as it has happened, Wally and I already discussed it and prayed about it, and we're not going to risk it. So, we're staying here."

"For how long?" Logan asked.

The others were smiling.

"Well, at least that long," Wally said. "But...we're actually...kind of feeling maybe even longer."

"I never liked the idea of subjecting kids to this sort of life," Shine said. "Not young ones, anyway. I mean, a lot of kids travel worlds, but, after a certain age. So it could be years."

"You don't seem upset," Raven noted, watching them closely.

"Because we're not," Wally said. "We both actually like the idea of sticking around here longer. We like you guys."

"I hope you're not tired of us," Shine said. "We don't have much of a choice now."

"No, no, this is great news," Rogue said. "And we can all meet yer little one when it shows up this way... Oh, can I be like the unofficial aunt? I love kids."

"Of course," Shine said. "I'd stick you with babysitting, even, if you'd let me."

"Let ya? I'd beg ya," Rogue said. "This is so excitin'!" She clapped her hands.

"More kids tearing up de place," Gambit said. "Well, sound about right."

"Aw, you're happy for us," Shine teased him.

"Be a bit hard on your work though," Raven said.

"Yes, I suppose I'll have to cut back," Shine said. "But just for a while. I guess we'll have time. Funny, I never thought I'd look forward to the possibility of being here for another few years at least, but...it feels right."

"But what about all those worlds you need to visit?" Morph said.

"Oh, timelines aren't subject to our perception, Morph," Shine said. "When it's time, we'll be ready. But, you know, all of us have lulls. I went for 4 years, about, without a mission once. It is what it is. Not in our hands."

"I could use a long break," Wally said. "Everything's been crazy here. But when things are relaxed, I really enjoy it. I'll miss my friends a little, but we've been apart even when I am home, and I think the time really won't bother me that much."

"Or they could visit us, I suppose," Shine said. "Just friends, naturally."

They both didn't seem worried about it.

"Though one thing," Wally said, "we both think if we're going to be here that long, we'll have to get our own place."

"Oh, really?" Morph said.

"We love living with you all," Shine said. "For a short time. But we're not really built for the communal lifestyle long term, I don't think. We like to have our own space. I'm sure it'll be close by, but not in the Mansion itself. Besides, you're a home for mutants. So you'll need the extra space soon enough."

"We are expecting some more students next year," Xavier, who was there, noted. "Though you're welcome to use our house as long as you need it."

"We'd probably have to get a job here too," Wally said. "Just to not be living off charity. It's okay for a while, but you know."

"If you want to keep teaching at the house, though, we'll pay you for your services," Xavier said.

"For now, that's fine with me," Shine said. "But if we branch out, I may not have the time anymore. Who knows what'll happen? For now we'll stick with what's working though. And I couldn't be more happy about this wedding. You guys will be really good for each other...and I didn't like to say anything before, but it'll be more appropriate for the church's reputation if you're official."

"And there it is," Logan said.

"Well, she is blunt," Storm said. "Luckily, we knew that already. And here we thought this wedding was a good scheme to get you to hang around at least till next month."

"Well, don't delay it on account of us," Wally said. "You guys waited long enough to get together at all."

"We ain't callin' it off," Logan said. "But don't expect any special favors if you're not gonna be goin' away."

"Wouldn't dream of it." Shine rolled her eyes.

* * *

A week and a half of preparations began after that.

Shine gave all her students a break from her lessons, though they continued with their academic studies.

The girls were more excited about the wedding than the adults were--but even they were pretty excited.

And over the other news.

"You should have a baby shower," Jean told Shine.

Shine seemed to be feeling a bit wistful about it.

"Yes, I suppose... It's not that I don't love you guys," she said, "but...my family should be here for this. I mean, my mom, you know? My first kid--I know a lot of women have to do it without that, but I just feel like she's going to be sorry to miss it."

"They'd understand why you can't risk going home," Jean said. "And you have to put that first, Shine."

Jean had the opinion that there was no debate about this subject whatsoever.

"I know," Shine said.

"Well, why don't you bring them here?" Jubilee asked.

"Because my family hates world travel," Shine said. "Even if my sisters would come, I don't think my mom would. You know not everyone is suited to it."

"Ah...even if she just came to this one house?" Jean said.

"I don't know," Shine said. "I suppose I could ask. I have other friends who'd love to come, too, but they're a bit more okay with the concept."

"Anyone with kids?" Rogue asked her. "I mean, don't ya need advice or somethin'?"

"Well, I have all these books." Shine pointed to a stack.

"Oh, those scare me," Kitty said. "I looked through my mom's collection once..." She shuddered.

"Well, we can wait till after the wedding, but you must have one," Jean insisted. "After all, someone has to get all those supplies. I'm rather excited about it, though. We've never had a baby here."

"But tell us the truth." Raven joined them. "Is your hubby panicking yet?"

"Uh, well, so far he's just excited," Shine said.

"He'll panic," Raven said.

"Why would he?" Rogue said.

"Because men who actually care panic," Raven said, like she knew all about it.

"Come to think of it, my mother told me my father had worried dreams about being a good dad," Shine reflected.

"From what ya done told us, they came true." Rogue was salty.

Shine sighed. "Well, we all dream, Rogue. We just don't all fulfill those dreams the way we think we will. I think any good parent worries about not being a good enough parent."

"Or knows they aren't one," Raven muttered to herself.

"Oh, I forgot, you've already had children," Jean said, with no sense of it being perhaps an unwise thing to point out. "You could tell Shine what it's like."

"Hardly. I don't think my mutation made it quite the same experience," Raven said.

"If you tell me you had zero symptoms, Raven, I may be mad at you for days," Shine pouted.

"Not exactly, but it was different," Raven said. "And twice was enough to go through that process. My advice? Stop at one."

"Oh, no, we always wanted a bunch," Shine said. "Plus our adopted kids. Just one big, huge family, Noah style."

"I can't imagine bein' responsible fer one kid." Rogue shook her head. "What would ya do to keep track of 'em all?"

"Well, Wally is the fastest man alive, and I'm me," Shine said. "I think we'll be fine. Anyway, family vacations are bound to be easier. Flash, boom! We're there. No road trips."

"Ha ha," Jubilee said. "But for real?"

"No, probably not," Shine said. "If you don't suffer through the car ride together, are you even a real family?"

"I wouldn't know," Rogue said. "But I'll take yer word fer it. But what about the weddin'...? I think we should make it perfect for Storm and Wolverine. They deserve it."

"I already offered to do songs," Shine said. "With a little help from Morph, I expect. I'm staying away from everything else except set up. I have no artistic talent with all that. That's you girls' department."

"Yeah, well, I ain't got talent either, but I want to help," Rogue said.

"They don't want anything that fancy," Jubilee scoffed. "Someone should just give Wolverine a box of cigars."

"I think that's the men's department," Shine said.

"I'm trying to keep the menu simple enough to prepare quickly," Jean said.

"Good news, apparently her family is flying in," Raven said. "Morph booked their flights. And I'm pretty sure hacked the system to get them in faster. First Class."

"Can he do that?" Rogue asked.

"He did, so I guess so." Raven shrugged.

"Geez, you two are perfect for each other," Shine said. "But I guess I can let that one slide... I mean, airlines overcharge anyway."

"I guess pretty soon you and Morph will be havin' yer own weddin'," Rogue teased Raven meaningfully.

But Raven didn't even answer, she just looked at the table.

"Oh, shoot, are ya actually goin' to?" Rogue asked.

"How should I know?" Raven sounded salty.

"Isn't it a little soon?" Jean said. "Haven't you been together less time than even Storm and Logan? And I can't believe how they're rushing this."

"Jean, not everyone takes 12 years," Shine said. "Wally and I dated for, like, 2 years, and the only reason we waited that long to get married was we were on a mission for a good portion of that time...two, actually. I knew I was going to marry him right off, but I was too chicken to say so."

"So when did he propose?" Rogue asked.

"On a beach in Japan while we were there." Shine got all dreamy. "Perfect location. I love the beach."

"I bet it was real romantic." Rogue was all starry-eyed too. "Did he get down on one knee?"

"I think so," Shine said. "But what I remember most vividly is that I thought he was breaking up with me at first."

"What?" Raven said.

"You're kidding," Jubilee said. "He'd never break up with you."

"Yeah, you're disgustingly in love," Raven said.

"So we all have our insecurities!" Shine said defensively. "I blame Legally Blonde for it. Any woman who's seen that movie is going to wonder if a break up line and a proposal line could sound suspiciously the same. He was so nervous about it, I jumped to the wrong conclusion because I always assumed he'd be excited--he told me he was nervous because he wasn't sure I'd say yes."

"But you would have definitely said yes," Jubilee said.

"Well, he thought I might say it was too soon," Shine said. "I could see why...but I wasn't about to toy with someone like that myself."

"Well, ya know, that is romantic in its own weird way," Rogue pronounced. "And very the two of you, I must say."

"Yeah, Gambit will propose to you using a deck of cards, or I miss my guess," Shine said.

[No idea if this happened in the comics, but it should have.]

"Who said he's gonna propose?" Rogue got embarrassed.

"Oh, are you going to?" Shine deliberately made her more flustered. "Breaking tradition? You know, it works sometimes. I'm kind of old fashioned, but if it works, it works, I say. I heard that this pastor once said a man should never tell a woman 'I love you' unless he's going to follow it up with 'will you marry me?' That's a bit extreme maybe, but it's true--we shouldn't just throw words around."

"Well...Gambit and I did throw those words around," Rogue admitted, blushing. "But marriage is a big step when you've barely even gone steady at all."

"Yes, well, after 5 years or however long it's been, one would wonder what the point of waiting is," Raven said dryly.

"Oh, big talk from you," Rogue said. "If that's the case, why don't y'all just get married?"

Raven stalked out of the room.

"Well...that struck a nerve," Jubilee said.

"I wonder what 'er problem is?" Rogue said.

"As her best friend, I will handle this." Shine held up her hand.

"You're best friends?" Jean said blankly.

"I was her only friend up until recently, and Emma's not here now, so I'd better be," Shine said.

"Glad ya can't be friends with yer parents, so I don't have to ask myself that," Rogue said.

"I'm sure she'd be flattered that you'd ask it at all," Shine said, following Raven out.

"Hey, is something wrong?" she asked her.

Raven was sitting in the living room now, staring at the finally thawed yard.

"Nothing," she said.

"Something." Shine felt like they'd been here before. "Come on, tell me. We never talk hardly now."

"I wouldn't want to bother you," Raven said.

"Raven, just because things are changing doesn't mean everything changes," Shine said, sitting down. "I'm still the same person, and I still care. I hope you still trust me."

Well, with that kind of emotional blackmail, Raven didn't have much of a choice.

She turned to look at her. "I suppose I'm feeling a little lost. So I put the past behind me? So now what? Assuming I can keep it behind me at all."

"I think so," Shine said. "And I don't just say that because I want it to be true... You've gone this long. It would be hard to go back now."

"Great...so what am I now?" Raven asked. "I'm not an X-man...not some cutesy, little hero."

"Cute? Them?" Shine said. "Not on purpose."

"Well, you know what I mean."

"I really don't know why you think you're so much more screwed up then some of them are." Shine shrugged. "Maybe the younger ones...but they're kids."

"Even so," Raven said, "I don't know about fitting on the team."

"I never expected you'd really feel that." Shine put her chin in her hands. "It's a little small, isn't it?"

"Did you talk to Rogue already? Or did you read my thoughts?" Raven said.

"Maybe I just know you well enough to know it's small." Shine shrugged.

"Darn you and your reasonable answers, Likstar," Raven complained.

"But Morph factors into this, I suppose," Shine said. "You two got much closer, fast. I'm sure it's giving you vertigo in some ways, but Morph does latch onto people fast. It's just his way. But you guys seem really good together."

"Sure." Raven finally admitted this with less bitterness. "I guess we are. Strangely enough."

"And it scares you because you may have found someone who'd finally be...you know, a forever kind of person," Shine said.

"Nothing lasts forever," Raven said.

"Till death though," Shine said. "Some things do last that long, Raven. Love is one of them. Am I wrong in thinking that Rogue hit a nerve back there because that's what you've wondered to yourself? Is that the next logical step? Are you ready?"

Raven shrugged. "I'm not ready."

"No, but will you ever be exactly ready?" Shine said.

"I don't know, is anyone ever ready? Real question." Raven shrugged.

"Real answer: no." Shine shrugged. "I wasn't ready for dating when Wally and I started--and neither was he. We realized that fast enough. But, you know, you can't really be fully ready for something that you've never done before, and no other thing can really compare to it. Or in your case, that you've never done with the right motives. You see...you grow into things like marriage--even Jesus put it that way--you grow into the stature of it. The only real reason to ask is if by nature you're inclined to that kind of thing. If you are, then at some point, you find the right person, and you just go for it. The readiness comes with practice. In every area, I might add." With a knowing look. "I hope that helps."

"So you're saying it's a leap of faith." Raven had begun to learn how Shine talked by now.

"Yes, that's a good term for it," Shine said. "Like when you jump off a diving board--which for me is a terrifying experience--is the moment you're ready for it, not a second sooner. There's just a second when you decide to do it. And it's not even necessarily that the previous seconds make you feel better about it. If anything, I felt worse--but I jumped. I think you and Morph should jump. You suit each other. What more do you need to know?"

"I don't really need to know any more than that. I've married for less," Raven said. "It's not me, actually."

"Oh, I see," Shine said.

"But of course, even so, I don't know," Raven said. "You think the only thing to do is to try, and I've always been more willing to try than to keep trying. Still, as you say, what would change with stalling? Either I can or I can't, right? With those other two idiots deciding to finally just take the plunge makes me...I'm not sure what."

"Envious?" Shine said. "Impatient?"

"One of those, I suppose."

"I see," Shine said. "This is all so new to you, but you want to keep going further. Not giving yourself time to look back, right?"

That actually summed it up fairly well.

Raven glanced at her like "How do you do that?"

"Well, I relate...I suppose for you that might even make sense," Shine said. "Morph does like to take his time... I suppose that's safer for him. But you know, anything could happen. I'm sure at least that he loves you. But he'll want to give you your space."

"I think I've had enough space." Raven said that with two kinds of emphasis.

Shine gave her a weird look then laughed. "Well, hey, I was impressed you guys made it this long...but yeah, well, waiting sucks, right? Not that's the best reason to just give in...but then again, it's biblical..."

"Seriously?" Raven said.

"Oh, yeah, actually," Shine said. "Well...you know, maybe this wedding will give some other guys around here ideas. I'd be so down for multiple ones in the same year. And I'll be here, so bonus!"

"Yeah...well, that works out for us more than you, it sounds like," Raven said.

"I'm a little sad, but it still feels right, even so," Shine said. "Don't worry about me. I'm happy."

"Whether you are or not, doesn't make it fair."

"But who needs fair?" Shine said. "If we both had fair, where would we be?"

"Good point," Raven said.

[🎵Oh, we're going to a wedding--*sing song voice*--it's going to be so wholesome...🎶

Will other people get engaged? Fingers crossed.]