There is dead silence. Mal not Captain? It’s unthinkable! Who can possibly speak after that?

Inara can. “Zoë, I have a request. As your first act as Captain, Mal and I would like you to preside over our wedding.”

It takes a few moments for everyone to really understand what has happened, but soon there are smiles and congratulations all ‘round. Kaylee is particularly happy: “Shiny! We should make this a big party!”

Diana agrees; “I think it should be a big traditional wedding! And since both Inara and I are from Sihnon, I think it should be a hun1 li3 (Chinese wedding) , and I get to be the Mother of the Bride.

Kaylee is all for it; “And since Zoë must be Master of Ceremonies, that means I get to be Mother of the Groom!”

Mal looks up in amusement; “Hi Mom. How’s things back on the ranch?”

Zoë makes her first command decision; “A hun1 li3 it is. We’ll make it a big blow out party. Just what we need to take our minds off the even bigger shindig that’s a’comin’. When do you want it, Inara?”

“Well, since it’s going to be a traditional Chinese wedding, an auspicious day would be in three days’ time. That will be 32 weeks and 2 days since we started this journey, a nice even number, Shuāng Xǐ (Double Happiness, Good Luck) for our wedding.”

It’s three days of insanity as everyone pitches in – Jayne kicks Mal out of his quarters, “You’re not gorram Captain now anyhow.” so that he, Simon and Jan can redecorate it as the hóu sè yīn (Groom’s House) , the bridal chamber for the wedding night. Zoë suggests that while they’re at it, they should incidentally add a few of Inara’s things to make it a proper place for a married couple. Simon mentions that Mal’s idea of decorating seems to consist of “If you don’t need it right now, don’t keep it.”

Inara sorts through her extensive wardrobe, and puts together her own red and gold Chinese wedding gown, but Mal needs help – Diana finds the perfect design for a red Chinese style shirt and