Hank settled Serenity into her allotted space, and flicked the com. “We’re down, Mal.”

“You’re getting to be okay at this,” Mal said dryly from the cargo bay. “Hardly didn’t even feel a bump this time.”

“Light as a feather.” Hank grinned and switched off, making sure the Firefly was locked down tight before hurrying to join the rest of the crew.

“How are you feeling, ai ren ?” Simon asked, his arm around Kaylee.

“Odd,” she admitted. “Only actually been married a day, but it feels strange to take the ring off.”

“We could tell them.”

Kaylee shook her head firmly. “Not with what my momma has been doing. It’d break her heart.”

“Then we won’t.” He squeezed gently.

“We all here?” Mal asked, his hand on the button to lower the ramp.

“Except for Freya,” Hank said as he jumped down the last of the steps. “The link’s up and running so she can watch.” He held up a small vidcam. “I still can’t say she’s ecstatic over this though.”

“She’ll get over it.” Mal looked around the bay and nodded. “Time to go, people,” he said, and pressed firmly with his palm. “And don’t forget the cake,” he added.

---

“Kaylee, sweetie, you know you said you didn’t want anything in the way of anything special to wear?” Mrs Frye said diffidently as she brushed her daughter’s hair.

“And I meant it, momma.” She smoothed her floral dress. “I got me a best outfit, and that’s fine.”

“That’s something of a pity, then,” Eleanor Frye said, putting the brush down on the dressing table.

“Why, momma? What have you done?” Kaylee said, turning in the seat to look at her.

“Well, ever since you came that first time, told us you were pregnant, I’ve been putting a little away each week, just a couple of …” She gazed at her daughter, then hurried to the wardrobe in the corner of the room, taking a large box from inside and placing it on the bed. “Only there was enough to get this.”

“Momma, you shouldn’t,” Kaylee protested. “Pa’s paying for all this, and there ain’t the money to waste on -”